ITC to Investigate Environmental Goods Trade
The International Trade Commission has launched two investigations to assess the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of certain environmental goods, and to examine U.S. international trade in such products and the competitive conditions facing U.S. industries.
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The two investigations, “Certain Environmental Goods: Probable Economic Effect of Duty-Free Treatment for U.S. Imports” and “Certain Environmental Goods: U.S. International Trade and Competitive Conditions,” were requested by the U.S. Trade Representative on April 16, 2010.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/22/10 news, 10042225, for BP summary of USTR’s request.)
First Investigation on Probable Effect of Duty-Free Treatment on Imports
In the first investigation, the ITC will update previously provided advice to the President on the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of certain environmental goods (listed in Annex III of the World Trade Organization (WTO) document TN/TE/191) on U.S. imports, industries in the U.S. producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers.
The ITC requests comments on the first investigation by July 7, 2010, and will submit its first report to the USTR by October 18, 2010.
Second Investigation on Current Trade, Competitive Conditions
In the second investigation, the ITC will:
- provide an overview of the current state of global environmental goods trade;
- develop industry, trade, and market information for the items listed in Annex III of the WTO document TN/TE/19; and
- prepare several case studies on the competitive conditions for selected U.S. environmental goods industries that are of significant export or commercial interest to the U.S.
The ITC will hold a public hearing in connection with its second investigation on September 28, 2010 in Washington, DC, and requests comments by October 6, 2010.
The ITC will submit its second report to the USTR by February 16, 2011.
1These goods relate to air pollution control; renewable energy; waste management, water treatment and remediation; environmental technologies, etc.
ITC contact -- Office of the Secretary (202) 205-2000
ITC press release (dated 05/17/10) available at http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2010/er0517hh1.htm