Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Request for Investigation Under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Commerce Department wants people to tell them what they think about a new plan to ask companies questions about how things they buy from other countries might affect America's safety. They’ll listen to what people say before they decide if this is a good or bad idea.
Summary AI
The Bureau of Industry and Security of the Commerce Department is asking the public to comment on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This initiative is meant to study the effects of foreign imports on U.S. national security and involves collecting data through surveys of businesses about various strategic commodities. The collected information will help the President and Congress understand potential impacts and consider import adjustments. Comments from the public will be considered before this collection is submitted for approval, and respondents are asked to provide constructive feedback by March 22, 2021.
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security has released a request for public comments on a specific information collection initiative. This initiative aims to understand the effect of foreign imports on the United States' national security. It is part of the agency’s responsibilities under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. To achieve their goals, the Bureau plans to distribute surveys to gather data from businesses regarding strategic commodities such as precision bearings and microprocessors. The findings from these surveys will eventually be communicated to both the President and Congress to aid in decision-making processes regarding import adjustments, potentially affecting tariffs.
General Summary
This request is governed by the Paperwork Reduction Act, which requires federal agencies to seek public input on information collections to assess their necessity and manage the associated reporting burdens. The comment period is set to last for sixty days and aims to gather insights that could improve the data collection's effectiveness and efficiency. Individuals and businesses have a deadline until March 22, 2021, to submit their comments.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Several issues emerge from this document. Firstly, the way it states an "Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0" could falsely imply there are no government expenses related to the surveys, which might raise questions about the actual financial implications. Furthermore, there is ambiguity about the specific criteria used for selecting commodities for these investigations. This lack of clarity might lead to perceptions of bias or favoritism.
The technicality of the assessments mentioned could potentially alienate some stakeholders, thereby limiting meaningful engagement and response during the comment period. Moreover, the document does not guarantee the protection of personal information submitted in public comments, potentially discouraging public participation due to privacy concerns.
Broad Public Impact
For the general public, this information collection has implications for national security policy and trade relationships. If adversarial actions like tariffs are implemented, the economy could experience changes in prices for goods, availability of foreign commodities, and the global trade environment. However, it could also reassure the public that national security is being prioritized in trade decisions.
Impact on Stakeholders
For businesses, especially those involved in the production or importation of the specified commodities, the results of these surveys could significantly influence their operational landscape. Positive impacts might include enhanced competitiveness for certain domestic industries if foreign competition is limited by import adjustments. Conversely, businesses dependent on foreign imports might face increased costs or restricted access to essential components needed for production.
In summary, while this initiative aims to safeguard national security, it carries potential economic and trade impacts that require thorough consideration by affected parties. The document reflects a critical moment where public engagement could shape significant policy outcomes. Nonetheless, the clarity of information, transparency, and protection measures in the process bear equal importance to ensure fair and effective stakeholder involvement.
Issues
• The document does not clearly specify the cost implications of the surveys on the government aside from stating 'Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0', which could raise questions about potential government expenditure.
• The potential impact of these investigations and subsequent adjustments, such as tariffs, is not fully outlined, raising concerns about possible economic repercussions on domestic and foreign relations.
• The document does not provide clarity on the criteria used to select specific commodities for the Section 232 investigations, which could lead to perceptions of bias or favoritism.
• The complexity and technical nature of surveys and analyses described may be difficult for some stakeholders to understand or engage with effectively, which could hinder meaningful public comments.
• The process for protecting personal identifying information submitted in public comments is not guaranteed, which might deter public engagement due to privacy concerns.