Probable Effect of Certain Modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin. Investigation No. NAFTA-103-14

摘要

The U.S. International Trade Commissions (Commission) advice on the probable effect ofcertain proposed modifications to the rules of origin contained in the North American FreeTrade Agreement (NAFTA) is based on an assessment of whether a proposed rulemodification would likely increase or decrease trade flows of U.S. products in the NAFTAmarkets as a result of preferential market access, and the resulting effect on total U.S.imports, exports, and production. In preparing its advice, the Commission assessed each specific proposed modification todetermine the probable effect on U.S. trade and on U.S. industries. The Commissionreviewed 113 proposed rule modifications for 38 product groups and found that 35modifications were formatting only changes that would not substantively change theapplication of the rules of origin. Accordingly, the Commission concluded that theseproposed rule modifications would likely have no effect on U.S. trade and production. TheCommission also found that 78 proposed modifications are substantive in nature; however,the Commission found that the probable economic effect for 77 of these proposedmodifications would be negligible, while one, certain fish oils, would result in a significanteffect on U.S. production and a substantial effect on U.S. imports.