The USITC Study/Investigation Task Force at NAFTZ
It seems like I just wrote an article for the Zones Report last week, but it was indeed a month ago. It’s been a busy month to say the least. Here are some of the highlights of NAFTZ activity over the last four weeks.
Last month I mentioned that NAFTZ leadership had already held initial meetings with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding its FTZ study and investigation as directed by Ambassador Katherine Tai in her letter to the USITC in December. (For more information on the background of the investigation itself, please click: USTR Investigation Request and Federal Register Notice). This fact-finding investigation will focus upon operations and conditions of competitiveness in U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) and similar programs in Canada and Mexico. NAFTZ formed the USITC Study/Investigation Task Force to focus on preparing oral testimony and written submissions leading up to the important May 2022 deadlines for this investigation. The task force meets weekly whose members include:
| Robert Balli – Phillips 66 Company | James Grogan, FTI Consulting Inc. |
| Frankie Bryson, Nissan North America | Justin Huguet, Mercedes-Benz U.S. Int’l |
| Christopher Carney, FDP Virginia | Melissa Irmen, ISCM Inc. |
| Shannon Fura, Page Fura, P.C. | Sean Lydon, ISCM Inc. |
| Jeremy Page, Page Fura, P.C. | Shane Williams, Port of Houston |
| Jeffrey Tafel, NAFTZ |
And other contributing members, advisors and allied organizations. The task force’s approach is to gather as many stories, testimonials, historical documents and data to support our core arguments on behalf of the U.S. FTZ program and all of its constituents. We are cooperating with the USITC team to comprehensively support their work. We’re actively seeking FTZ Users, Operators, Grantees and Service Providers who have been impacted by USMCA/NAFTA regulations and/or have experience with both U.S. FTZ and the equivalent programs in Canada and Mexico. Ideally, some of these same organizations would consider testifying at the Public Hearing (virtual) on May 17th (deadline to request to appear at the public hearing is May 3rd) or providing additional written statements or submissions by the end of November. If you would like more information, please contact me (jtafel@naftz.org) or USITC Study/Investigation Task Force Chair James Grogan (james.grogan@fticonsulting.com). This is a very large undertaking and we appreciate any help that you or your organization can provide.
Regards,
Jeff Tafel
NAFTZ President
