Probable Effect of Proposed Definitions for Certain Baby Socks

摘要

On May 26, 2006, the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) received arequest from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) that the Commission provideadvice as to the probable effect of a modification to the definition of baby socks on U.S.imports of the subject articles from China, on total U.S. imports of such products, and onU.S. baby sock producers. The USTR asked the Commission to consider the following twoproposed definitions of the subject products for its analysis:Proposed Definition No. 1:For purposes of heading 6111, babies booties are knitted or crocheted foot coveringswithout an applied sole glued, sewn or otherwise affixed to the upper. These articleshave bulky embellishments, such as rattles or other attachments, which precludewearing inside of footwear.Proposed Definition No. 2:For purposes of heading 6111, babies booties are knitted or crocheted foot coveringswithout an applied sole glued, sewn or otherwise affixed to the uppers. These articleshave embellishments, such as rattles, lace, appliques, skid-proofing or kick-proofingproperties.In his letter, the USTR noted that the Memorandum of Understanding Between theGovernments of the United States of America and the Peoples Republic of ChinaConcerning Trade in Textile and Apparel Products (MOU), which became effective January1, 2006, establishes annual quantitative restraints on U.S. imports of certain textiles andapparel originating in China through 2008, and that a question has arisen as to whether ornot the subject articles are subject to the quantitative restraints. At the USTRs request, thisreport analyzes the probable effects of the removal of certain baby socks and booties, definedabove, from the quota on imports of hosiery (category 332/432/632).