USTR asks ITC to study probable economic effects of a U.S.-Japan FTA

摘要

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer last week asked the International Trade Commission to provide reports on the potential economic effects of providing duty-free treatment for competitive imports from Japan, as well as the impact of removing some agriculture tariffs. The studies should be completed "as soon as possible," Lighthizer said in an Oct. 26 letter to the ITC. Under Trade Promotion Authority law, the earliest USTR can begin to formally negotiate with Japan is Jan. 14, with all public comments on negotiating objectives due by Nov. 26 and a public hearing set for Dec. 10.