Implementation of WTO Recommendations Concerning the European Communities' Regime for the Importation, Sale and Distribution of Bananas

The United States Trade Representative requests written comments and invites testimony in the context of a public hearing on its proposed determination that the imposition of prohibitive (100 percent ad valorem) duties on selected products from the European Communities (EC) is an appropriate action under section 306(b) and 301(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, should the EC fail to implement the recommendations of the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body concerning the EC's regime for the importation, sale, and distribution of bananas within the prescribed reasonable period of time, which expires on January 1, 1999. The products to be affected by the proposed duty increase will be drawn from the list of products set forth in the Annex to this notice. The USTR intends to publish a notice on December 15, 1998 describing the actions that it would take, beginning as early as February 1, 1999.