The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) published the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 1998, summarizing completed and pending investigations, reports, statutes, proposed legislation and trade litigation as of September 30, 1998. During FY98, the ITC completed a total of 105 investigations including one section 201 investigation, 67 title VII investigations (mostly antidumping), 17 section 337 investigations, and 14 section 332 general fact-finding investigations. The ITC also continued to provide technical assistance to the US Trade Representative including support of activities of the World Trade Organizations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Other highlights for FY98 included the designation of a new Chairman of the Commission, Lynn M. Bragg, by President Bill Clinton and the swearing in of three new Commissioners; Jennifer A. Hillman, Stephen Koplan, and Thelma J. Askey.
A major change covered in this report is the five-year (sunset) review process, which is required under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). The Department of Commerce and the ITC are now required to conduct reviews no later than five years after an antidumping or countervailing duty order or suspension agreement is issued. These reviews determine whether revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies or of material injury within a reasonable foreseeable time. If the ITC's determination is affirmative, the order will remain in place. If it is negative, the order will be revoked. This new responsibility requires the review of all outstanding antidumping and countervailing duty orders in existence as of January 1, 1995. This includes over 300 outstanding cases, 23 of which were instituted during this past fiscal year.
Much of the information provided in ITC's annual report as well as various reports, publications, hearing guidelines, a list of recent petitions and complaints and the monthly calendar can be found on the website (www.usitc.gov). Written copies of ITC public information can be ordered by calling the Public Affairs Officer, Office of External Relations at 202/205-1819.
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