Following a request from the U.S. Trade Representative, the International Trade Commission (ITC) has instituted an investigation, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Likely Impact on the U.S. Economy and on Specific Industry Sectors, under section 105(c) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4204(c)), to assess the likely impact of the Agreement on the U.S. economy as a whole and on specific industry sectors and the interests of U.S. consumers. As part of the process, the Commission invites stakeholders to appear at a public hearing on January 13, 2016, or, alternatively, to make written submissions by February 15, 2016 (see below for investigation timeline). In addition to the United States, the Agreement includes Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
OFW has received a request from the Commission to “encourage your clients to provide both a written submission and witnesses for the hearing. It will give them an opportunity to make their views known.” We would add that because the ITC’s mandate is so broad, it is important that interested parties participate, as the Commission must rely on information provided to it, either at its hearing or in later submissions, to accurately evaluate the impact that TPP would have on particular industries/sectors. Thus, stakeholder participation is crucial.
The pertinent dates are:
December 22, 2015 – Deadline for filing request to appear at the public hearing
December 29, 2015 – Deadline for filing pre-hearing briefs and statements
January 13, 2016 – Public hearing
January 22, 2016 – Deadline for filing post-hearing briefs and statements
February 15, 2016 – Deadline for filing written submissions
May 18, 2016 – Anticipated date of Commission report to the President and Congress
