Contact: Monica Hill, 202-482-3809 

NEW COMMERCE WEBSITE ALERTS SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES OF PENDING GOVERNMENT ACTIONS UNDER SECTION 301

U.S. small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have a new tool to learn about opportunities to comment on potential increases in U.S. import duties thanks to an innovative website launched by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The website, Section 301 Alert at www.ita.doc.gov/301alert, is an initiative designed to keep SMEs informed of pending U.S. Government actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which is administered by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The web site will be particularly helpful to U.S. businesses given the passage of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. Section 407 of the Act, which is know as the "carousel legislation," requires the U.S. Government to periodically revise retaliation lists. 

Section 301 authorizes USTR to take responsive action when foreign countries fail to comply with the results of dispute settlement under international trade agreements, and in certain other situations involving unfair restrictions on U.S. exports. Such actions can include increasing U.S. import duties by 100 percent or more. 

In advance of taking action under Section 301, USTR issues public notices and requests for comments. These notices are publicized through media reporting, publication in the federal register, and posting on government web sites.

This new service of the Department of Commerce will help disseminate information on opportunities to comment by allowing SMEs to register with the web site and to receive automatic e-mail alerts about potential U.S. actions under Section 301. Registering SMEs will receive e-mails shortly after notice is published in the Federal Register. Alternatively, if businesses do not wish to register, they can learn of opportunities to provide public comment by visiting the site regularly. The website is free of charge and open to all interested parties. Section 301 Alert also contains general information about Section 301 and links to other useful information.