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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release February 18, 2000

ANNEX

            Modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
                          of the United States

Effective with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after March 1, 2000, subchapter III of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is modified by inserting in numerical sequence the following new U.S. note, subheadings and superior text thereto, with the language inserted in the columns entitled "Heading/Subheading", "Article Description", "Rates of Duty 1-General", "Rates of Duty 1-Special", and "Rates of Duty 2", respectively.

"9. For purposes of subheadings 9903.72.01 through 9903.72.15,

     inclusive, the following steel products (enumerated by reference to
     common commercial usage) are excluded from such subheadings, and no
     entries of such products shall be permitted or included therein or
     counted toward the quantities specified for any quota period:

     (a)  Tire cord quality wire rod measuring 5.0 mm or more but not
        more than 6.0 mm in cross-sectional diameter, with an average
        partial decarburization of no more than 70 microns in depth
        (maximum 200 microns); having no inclusions greater than 20
        microns; capable of being drawn to a diameter of 0.30 mm or less
        with 3 or fewer breaks per ton, imported pursuant to a purchase
        order from a tire manufacturer or a tire cord wire manufacturer
        in the United States for tire cord quality wire rod, and
        containing by weight the following elements in the proportions
        shown:

        -- 0.68 percent or more of carbon,

        -- less than 0.01 percent of aluminum,

        -- 0.040 percent or less, in the aggregate, of phosphorus and
           sulfur,

        -- 0.008 percent or less of nitrogen, and

        -- not more than 0.55 percent, in the aggregate, of copper,
           nickel and chromium;

     (b)  Valve spring quality wire rod containing by weight 0.43
        percent or more but not more than 0.73 percent of carbon, having
        a maximum inclusion content to ASTM A-877, Table 4, imported
        pursuant to a purchase order from an automotive valve spring or
        automotive brake spring manufacturer in the United States for
        automotive valve spring or automotive brake spring quality wire
        rod, measuring 5.5 mm or more but not more than 18 mm in
        cross-sectional diameter and having a partial decarburization of
        no more than 0.127 mm in depth and seams of no more than 0.075
        mm in depth, or if measuring over 9.5 mm but not more than 18 mm
        in cross-sectional diameter either:

        -- having a partial decarburization of not over 1.3 percent of 
           the diameter of the rod, a zero ferrite (total) 
           decarburization and seams of no more than 0.075 mm in depth, 
           or

        -- if AISI grade 6150, having a partial decarburization of not 
           more than 0.127 mm in depth, a zero ferrite (total) 
           decarburization and a seam depth of not more than 1 percent 
           of the diameter;
     (c)  Class III pipe wrap quality wire rod measuring 10.3 mm in
        cross-sectional diameter, with an average partial
        decarburization per coil of no more than 70 microns in depth,
        having no inclusions greater than 20 microns, free of injurious
        piping and undue segregation, having a heat tensile strength
        minimum of 170 ksi and a maximum of 177 ksi, and containing by
        weight the following elements in the proportions shown:

        -- 0.72 percent or more of carbon,

        -- 0.50 percent or more but not more than 1.10 percent of
           manganese,

        -- not more than 0.030 percent of phosphorus,

        -- not more than 0.035 percent of sulfur, and

        -- 0.10 percent or more but not more than 0.35 percent of
           silicon;

     (d)  Aircraft quality cold heading quality wire rod measuring 5.5
        mm or more but not more than 19.0 mm in cross sectional diameter
        for the grades enumerated herein, meeting the requirements
        defined in the aerospace and military specifications listed for
        each grade:

             Grade          Specification

             4037         AMS6300, 2301
             4130         AMS6370, 2301; MIL-S6758
             4140         AMS6382, 2301; MIL-S5626
             4340         AMS6415, 2301; MIL-S5000
             8740         AMS6322, 2301; MIL-S6049
             PWA722       AMS6304, 2301,

        having a diameter tolerance of plus 0.25 mm and minus 0.25 mm,
        having an out of roundness tolerance of not more than 0.30 mm,
        having surface seam of not more than the greater of 0.07 mm or
        1.0 percent of the diameter in depth, free from complete
        decarburization, partial decarburization no more than the
        greater of 0.10 mm or 1.0 percent of the diameter in depth,
        having micro-structure meeting the aircraft cleanliness
        requirements of AMS2301, and having grain size predominantly No.
        5 or finer;

     (e)  Aluminum cable steel reinforced ("ACSR") quality steel wire
        rod, measuring either (i) 7.2 mm or more but not more than 7.8
        mm in cross-sectional diameter or (ii) 9.2 mm or more but not
        more than 9.8 mm in cross-sectional diameter, in the following
        strength/grade/size requirements:

        -- 95 kgf/mm2 for AISI grade 1045 wire rod measuring 7.2 mm or
          more but not more than 7.8 mm in cross-sectional diameter,

        -- 92 kgf/mm2 for AISI grade 1045 wire rod measuring 9.2 mm or
          more but not more than 9.8 mm in cross-sectional diameter,

        -- 100 kgf/mm2 for AISI grade 1050 wire rod measuring 7.2 mm or
          more but not more than 7.8 mm in cross-sectional diameter, or

        -- 98 kgf/mm2 for AISI grade 1050 wire rod measuring 9.2 mm or
          more but not more than 9.8 mm in cross-sectional diameter,

        processed exclusively by heat-treating on an in-line fused salt
        bath patenting process that results in having a tensile strength
        tolerance range of plus or minus 5 kgf/mm2, and having an
        ovality of no more than 0.30 mm.

     (f)  Piano wire string quality wire rod measuring either 5.5, 6.0,
        6.5, 7.0 or 8.0 mm in cross-sectional diameter, the foregoing
        with an average partial decarburization of no more than 70
        microns in depth (maximum 200 microns), having no inclusions
        greater than 20 microns, capable of being drawn to a diameter of
        0.30 mm or less with 3 or fewer breaks per ton, imported
        pursuant to a purchase order from a piano wire string
        manufacturer in the United States for piano wire string quality
        wire rod, and containing by weight the following elements in the
        proportions shown:

        -- 0.72 percent or more but not more than 1.0 percent of carbon,

        -- less than 0.01 percent of aluminum,

        -- not more than 0.040 percent, in the aggregate, of phosphorus
           and sulfur,

        -- not more than 0.003 percent of nitrogen,

        -- not more than 0.55 percent, in the aggregate, of copper,
           nickel and chromium, and

        -- less than 0.60 percent of manganese;

     (g)  Grade 1085 annealed bearing quality wire rod, of a quality for
        manufacturing bearings, AISI grade 1085, annealed, 100 percent
        spheroidized, having maximum inclusions not exceeding ASTM A295,
        Table 3, with no samples of such rod showing globular oxide
        inclusions larger than 0.001 inches nor more than ten globular
        oxide inclusions between 0.0005 and 0.001 inches per square inch
        of sample area, the foregoing containing by weight the following
        elements in the proportions shown:

        -- 0.80 percent or more but not more than 0.85 percent of
           carbon,

        -- 0.70 percent or more but not more than 1.00 percent of
           manganese, and

        -- not more than 15 ppm of oxygen;

     (h)  1080 tire bead wire quality wire rod measuring 5.5 mm or more
        but not more than 7.0 mm in cross-sectional diameter, with an
        average partial decarburization of no more than 70 microns in
        depth (maximum 200 microns), having no inclusions greater than
        20 microns, capable of being drawn to a diameter of 0.78 mm or
        larger with 0.5 or fewer breaks per ton, imported pursuant to a
        purchase order from a tire manufacturer or a manufacturer of
        tire wire products in the United States for inclusion in tires,
        and containing by weight the following elements in the
        proportions shown:

        -- 0.78 percent or more of carbon,

        -- less than 0.03 percent of soluble aluminum,

        -- not more than 0.040 percent, in the aggregate, of phosphorous
           and sulfur,

        -- not more than 0.004 percent of nitrogen, and

        -- not more than 0.055 percent, in the aggregate, of copper,
           nickel and chromium."
         "   : Hot-rolled bars and rods of nonalloy or alloy steel, in :
             : irregularly wound coils, of circular or approximately   :
             : circular solid cross section, having a diameter of 5 mm :
             : or more but less than 19 mm, except such bars and rods  :
             : enumerated in U.S. note 9 to this subchapter and except :
             : bars and rods of alloy steel containing by weight 24    :
             : percent or more of nickel, provided for in subheadings  :
             : 7213.91, 7213.99, 7227.20 and 7227.90.60, all the       :
             : foregoing except products of Canada or of Mexico:       :
             :  If entered during the period from March 1, 2000,       :
             :  through February 28, 2001, inclusive:                  :
 9903.72.01  :    If entered during the period from March 1, 2000,     :
             :    through May 31, 2000, inclusive, in aggregate        :
             :    quantities not in excess of 477,783,962 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.02  :    If entered during the period from June 1, 2000,      :
             :    through August 31, 2000, inclusive, in aggregate     :
             :    quantities not in excess of 477,783,962 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.03  :    If entered during the period from September 1, 2000, :
             :    through November 30, 2000, inclusive, in aggregate   :
             :    quantities not in excess of 477,783,962 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
             :[Hot-rolled...(con.):]                                   :
             :  [If...(con.):]                                         :
 9903.72.04  :    If entered during the period from December 1, 2000,  :
             :    through February 28, 2001, inclusive, in aggregate   :
             :    quantities not in excess of the remaining quantity,  :
             :    if any, from 1,433,351,886 kg after the aggregate    :
             :    quantity entered under subheadings 9903.72.01        :
             :    through 9903.72.03, inclusive, is subtracted         :
             :    therefrom........................................... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.05  : Other.................................................. :

                         : The rate      :               : The rate
                         :  provided in  :               :  provided in
                         :  the Rates of :               :  the Rates of
                         :  Duty 1       :               :  Duty 2
                         :  General      :               :  column
                         :  subcolumn    :               :  for the
                         :  for the      :               :  applicable
                         :  applicable   :               :  subheading
                         :  subheading   :               :  (7213.91,
                         :  (7213.91,    :               :  7213.99,
                         :  7213.99,     :               :  7227.20 or
                         :  7227.20 or   :               :  7227.90.60)
                         :  7227.90.60)  :               :  + 10%
                         :  + 10%        :               :
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
             :  If entered during the period from March 1, 2001,       :
             :  through February 28, 2002, inclusive:                  :
 9903.72.06  :    If entered during the period from March 1, 2001,     :
             :    through May 31, 2001, inclusive, in aggregate        :
             :    quantities not in excess of 487,339,641 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.07  :    If entered during the period from June 1, 2001,      :
             :    through August 31, 2001, inclusive, in aggregate     :
             :    quantities not in excess of 487,339,641 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.08  :    If entered during the period from September 1, 2001, :
             :    through November 30, 2001, inclusive, in aggregate   :
             :    quantities not in excess of 487,339,641 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.09  :    If entered during the period from December 1, 2001,  :
             :    through February 28, 2002, inclusive, in aggregate   :
             :    quantities not in excess of the remaining quantity,  :
             :    if any, from 1,462,018,923 kg after the aggregate    :
             :    quantity entered under subheadings 9903.72.06        :
             :    through 9903.72.08, inclusive, is subtracted         :
             :    therefrom........................................... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.10  : Other.................................................. :

                         : The rate      :               : The rate
                         :  the Rates of :               :  the Rates of
                         :  Duty 1       :               :  Duty 2
                         :  General      :               :  column
                         :  subcolumn    :               :  for the
                         :  for the      :               :  applicable
                         :  applicable   :               :  subheading
                         :  subheading   :               :  (7213.91,
                         :  (7213.91,    :               :  7213.99,
                         :  7213.99,     :               :  7227.20 or
                         :  7227.20 or   :               :  7227.90.60)
                         :  7227.90.60)  :               :  + 7.5%
                         :  + 7.5%       :               :

             :                                                         :
             :  If entered during the period from March 1, 2002,       :
             :  through March 1, 2003, inclusive:                      :
 9903.72.11  :    If entered during the period from March 1, 2002,     :
             :    through May 31, 2002, inclusive, in aggregate        :
             :    quantities not in excess of 497,086,434 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.12  :    If entered during the period from June 1, 2002,      :
             :    through August 31, 2002, inclusive, in aggregate     :
             :    quantities not in excess of 497,086,434 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.13  :    If entered during the period from September 1, 2002, :
             :    through November 30, 2002, inclusive, in aggregate   :
             :    quantities not in excess of 497,086,434 kg.......... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
 9903.72.14  :    If entered during the period from December 1, 2002,  :
             :    through March 1, 2003, inclusive, in aggregate       :
             :    quantities in excess of the remaining quantity,      :
             :    if any, from 1,491,259,302 kg after the aggregate    :
             :    quantity entered under subheadings 9903.72.11        :
             :    through 9903.72.13, inclusive, is subtracted         :
             :    therefrom........................................... :

                         :               :               :
                         : No change     : No change     : No change
                         :               :               :

             :                                                         :
             :[Hot-rolled...(con.):]                                   :
             :  [If...(con.):]                                         :
 9903.72.15  : Other.................................................. :

                         : The rate      :               : The rate
                         :  provided in  :               :  provided in
                         :  the Rates of :               :  the Rates of
                         :  Duty 1       :               :  Duty 2
                         :  General      :               :  column
                         :  subcolumn    :               :  for the
                         :  for the      :               :  applicable
                         :  applicable   :               :  subheading
                         :  subheading   :               :  (7213.91,
                         :  (7213.91,    :               :  7213.99,
                         :  7213.99,     :               :  7227.20 or
                         :  7227.20 or   :               :  7227.90.60)
                         :  7227.90.60)  :               :  + 5%"
                         :  + 5%         :               :

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