ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 7696ProclamationG.W. Bush · R

Proclamation 7696

To Extend Duty-Free Treatment for Certain Agricultural Products of Israel

This proclamation extends through December 31, 2003, duty-free treatment for specified quantities of certain Israeli agricultural products under the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act. It modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to update quota quantities for calendar year 2003, superseding inconsistent prior proclamations and executive orders.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 51871

Impact dates

  1. Duty-free treatment expires; provisions cease effect

  2. HTS modifications effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse

Key directives

  • Modify subchapter VIII of chapter 99 of HTS per Annex
  • Extend duty-free treatment through December 31, 2003
  • Apply retroactively to goods entered on or after January 1, 2003
  • Supersede inconsistent prior proclamations and executive orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation issued August 27, 2003
  • Supersession of inconsistent prior proclamations and executive orders

Near term (90d)

  • HTS modifications effective for goods entered on or after January 1, 2003 (retroactive application for 2003 entries)

Long term

  • Duty-free treatment expires December 31, 2003 unless further extended

Risks & tensions

  • Negotiations for successor arrangement to 1996 Agreement remained unresolved since 2001
  • Temporary annual extensions create trade policy uncertainty
  • Retroactive application to January 1, 2003 entries suggests administrative lag in formalizing extension
Proclamation 7696: To Extend Duty-Free Treatment for Certain Agricultural Products of Israel · Executive Orders