USTR plans virtual hearings on Vietnam trade practices

WASHINGTON – The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will hold two separate virtual hearings relating to the ongoing Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s trade practices.

The first virtual hearing will take place on 9:30 a.m., Dec. 28. It will deal specifically with the part of the investigation regarding Vietnam’s alleged use of illegally harvested timber.

To participate in this hearing, requests must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., Dec. 10. This must include a summary of the speaker’s proposed testimony. However, as the hearing will be public, participants also have been advised not to include any confidential information.

The USTR has set a deadline of 11:59 p.m., Jan 6, 2021, for post-hearing rebuttal comments.

This part of the investigation addresses the following issues, including the extent to which illegal timber is imported into Vietnam, the extent to which Vietnamese producers, including producers of wooden furniture, use illegal timber and the extent to which such products are imported into the United States.

It also will address the nature and level of the burden this activity places on U.S. commerce and what actions should be taken in response.

A separate virtual hearing is planned for 9:30 a.m., Dec. 29, and will deal with issues and concerns involving the valuation of Vietnam’s currency.

This includes whether the currency is undervalued and the level of the undervaluation; the extent to which Vietnam’s acts, policies or practices contribute to the undervaluation and whether these acts, policies or practices are considered unreasonable or discriminatory.

This segment of the investigation also covers how such an undervaluation is restricting or placing a burden on U.S. commerce and what actions should be taken in response.

To participate in this hearing, requests also must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., Dec. 10. This must include a summary of the speaker’s proposed testimony. However, as the hearing will be public, participants also have been advised not to include any confidential information.

Post rebuttal comments must be made by 11:59 p.m., Jan. 7, 2021.

To participate in the hearings, visit www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for submitting comments in section III. The docket number for the illegal timber investigation is USTR-2020-0036.  The docket number of the currency valuation segment is 2020-0037.  Anyone having difficulties with online submissions can contact (202) 395-5725.