system. Except for broken rice, licenses for these commodities were freely granted. Imports of rice meal, polish, flour, and bran were small in 1949 because supplies were generally not available from the former usual sources of imports. United States imports of soaps and soap powders ordinarily consist only of the higher priced specialty items. Imports of oleo oil and stearine, and edible and inedible tallow were generally small in 1949 because of the favorable domestic supply. Restrictions on imports of edible tallow had but little effect in 1949 because of the heavy demand for this commodity in European countries. Mixing Regulations for Rubber The United States has continued the practice of requiring that specified minimum proportions of domestically produced synthetic rubber be used in the manufacture of certain rubber products, principally tires and tubes for motor vehicles. This practice, begun during the war, has been continued as a means of preserving a domestic synthetic-rubber industry, the purpose being primarily national security. The regulations in effect during 1949 and the first half of 1950 were prescribed under the authority contained in the Rubber Act of 1948 (Pub. Law 469, 80th Cong.), which provides for continued Government ownership and control of production and consumption of synthetic rubber in the United States. This act, which became effective April 1, 1948, was on June 24, 1950, extended unchanged until June 30, 1952 (Pub. Law 575, 81st Cong.). The provisions of the Rubber Act of 1948 and the nature of the mixing regulations for rubber were discussed in detail in a previous report of the Tariff Commission.14 The rubber mixing regulations 15 of the United States do not conflict with any of its trade-agreement obligations, inasmuch as they are not more restrictive as to the use of imported rubber than those in force in April 1947. Article III of the General Agreement exempts from the prohibition against mixing regulations such regulations as were already in force on April 10, 1947, or similar regulations which are not more restrictive. Under certain circumstances, the United States mixing regulations for rubber might result in restricting the importation of rubber into the United States. Apparently, however, they have in fact had little or no hampering effect on imports of natural rubber, which has been in short supply.16 14 Operation of the Trade Agreements Program (second report), pp. 77–78. 15 Mixing regulations are regulations which require a specified proportion of the product to be supplied from domestic sources. 16 For a discussion of United States production, consumption, and imports of rubber, see Synthetic Rubber. . . Recommendations of the President Transmitted to the Congress, Together With a Report on Maintenance of the Synthetic Rubber Industry in the United States and Disposal of Government-Owned Synthetic Rubber Facilities (House Doc. 448, 81st Cong., 2d sess.), 1950. See also U. S. Department of Commerce, Rubber: First Annual Report by the Secretary of Commerce, April 1, 1948-March 31, 1949, 1949. NOTE TO LIBRARIANS Here is an index card for this publication The sample main catalog card with suggested subject headings which appears below is presented by the Tariff Commission as a convenience to expedite the placing of this document in the hands of your readers. Since this is the third report on the operation of the trade agreements program, it seems advisable that this open-entry type card be used. Many libraries file their documents by the Government Printing Office classification number which appears in the United States Government Publications Monthly Catalog. This scheme automatically assembles the volumes according to the issuing office. Libraries using it will note that the GPO classification number appears on the card below as well as on the cover of this publication. However, there is no regulation or law requiring depository libraries to use this number or to segregate United States Government documents from the classified book collection. It is therefore suggested that, whenever possible, all subject material be classified with like material in the regular classification scheme used in your library. U. S. Tariff Commission. Operation of the trade agreements program June 1934Washington, U. S. Govt. Print. Off., 1948– v. tables. 24cm. (Second series, Report no. 160, 163, 172 Note: Report no. 160 in five parts. ) 1. Reciprocity. 2. Tariff-U. S. 3. Anal.: Escape clause. 4. Balance of payments. 5. U. S.-Commerce. 6. Customs unions. I. Title. II. Title: Trade agreements program. TC 1:9: 172 165 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1951 |