International Trade: Administration of Short Supply in Steel Import Restraint Agreements
NSIAD-89-166
Published: Jun 05, 1989. Publicly Released: Jun 05, 1989.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Commerce's process for evaluating short-supply requests, through which steel consumers petition Commerce to allow additional steel imports from countries which have voluntary restraint agreements (VRA) limiting steel imports to the United States.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | If VRA are extended, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Office of Agreements Compliance to provide more process transparency by: (1) issuing comprehensive guidance or regulations on the program's requirements, policies (including decision criteria), procedures, and detailed filing information for petitioners' use; and (2) publicizing the decisions made and reasons for them. |
Closed – Implemented
Regulations are in effect that define the requirements for adequate petitions, how short supply is determined, and require public notice of agency decisions.
|
| Department of Commerce | If VRA are extended, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Office of Agreements Compliance to establish and publicize in the guidance or regulations a standard deadline for processing short supply reviews and monitor timeliness through its tracking system on the full process from petition receipt to decision notification. |
Closed – Implemented
The law and implementating regulations have created a 30-day deadline for decisions. The Office of Agreements Compliance is tracking the timeliness of its decisions.
|
| Department of Commerce | If VRA are extended, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Office of Agreements Compliance to ensure that official short-supply review files contain complete and official documentation, including a full case history and decision on each petition. |
Closed – Implemented
The Office of Agreements Compliance is maintaining a checklist for all its files. Regulations have outlined requirements for the public record, including documentation of all exparte communication.
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Topics
Administrative remediesAgency proceedingsEvaluation criteriaForeign trade agreementsImport restrictionInternational economic relationsSteel industryWaiversFederal registerImports