CHILE INITIATES INVESTIGATION WITH AIM OF APPLYING

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002054 SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD CI SUBJECT: CHILE INITIATES INVESTIGATION WITH AIM OF APPLYING SAFEGUARD MEASURES TO U.S DAIRY IMPORTS ¶1. Post has received Chilean Diplomatic Note No. 3018 dated September 15, 2006. Note 3018 announces the Government of Chile's initiation of an investigation to determine the possible application of safeguard measures on the import of a number of categories of U.S. dairy products. The head of the MFA's trade division responsible for the U.S.-Chile FTA confirmed to the Senior Economic Officer September 28 that she is now involved in developing an anti-dumping case involving U.S. dairy products. ¶2. According to a note published in Chile's Official Gazette on September 11, 2006, the products under investigation are liquid milk, powder milk and gouda cheese classified under the following tariff codes: 0402.1000, 0402.2111, 0402.2112, 0402.2113, 0402.2114, 0402.2115, 0402.2116, 0402.2117, 0402,2118, 0402.2912, 0402.2913, 0402.2914, 0402.2914, 0402.2915, 0402.2915, 0402.2916, 0402.2917, 0402.2918, 0401.1000, 0401.2000, 0401.3010, 0401.3020, 0401.3030, 0401.3040, 0401.3090, and 0402.9110. ¶3. Attached is a translation of the original text of Chilean Diplomatic Note No. 3018 dated September 15, 2006: No. 3018 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile - Bilateral Economic Affairs Directorate - presents its compliments to the Honorable Embassy of the United States and according to the corresponding provisions of the Chile-United States Free Trade Agreement has the honor to communicate the initiation of an investigation process for safeguard measures on September 8, 2006 and accordingly published on September 11, 2006 in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Chile. The products targeted in this investigation are liquid milk, powder milk and gouda cheese classified under the following tariff codes: 0402.1000, 0402.2111, 0402.2112, 0402.2113, 0402.2114, 0402.2115, 0402.2116, 0402.2117, 0402,2118, 0402.2912, 0402.2913, 0402.2914, 0402.2914, 0402.2915, 0402.2915, 0402.2916, 0402.2917, 0402.2918, 0401.1000, 0401.2000, 0401.3010, 0401.3020, 0401.3030, 0401.3040, 0401.3090, and 0402.9110. On the matter, the General Directorate expresses its gratitude for transmitting this information to the relevant authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile - Bilateral Economic Affairs Directorate - avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Honorable Embassy of the United States the assurance of its highest and most distinguished consideration. Santiago, September 15, 2006 End Diplomatic Note