Certain Yarns and Fabrics FY 2009: Effect of Modification of U.S.-Singapore FTA Rules of Origin. Investigation No. U.S.-Singapore FTA-103022

摘要

This report provides probable effects advice on proposed modifications to the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) rules of origin for certain apparel made of certain yarns and fabrics on U.S. trade under the USSFTA, on total trade, and on affected domestic producers. The subject apparel is made of viscose rayon filament yarns; plain-woven cotton fabrics; combed compact yarns of wool; and a variety of cotton flannel fabrics. The proposed changes to the USSFTA stem from determinations that these yarns and fabrics are not produced in the United States or Singapore in commercial quantities in a timely manner. During the period from November 16, 2002, to May 4, 2005, the subject yarns and fabrics were determined to not be commercially available by the Committee of the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) under the commercial availability provisions of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the Andean Trade Partnership Drug Enforcement Act (ATPDEA). During the course of this investigation, Commission staff contacted domestic firms to ascertain whether domestic production of these textile products exists. Staff learned that, since CITA's determinations were made, the U.S. textile industry has been producing combed compact wool yarns.