Wood pulp Par. 1716 (Tariff Act of 1930). Wood pulp comprises both mechanically ground wood and pulp produced by chemical means. It is used primarily as a material for making paper and board, cnly about 5 percent of the total being used for other purposes, including the manufacture of rayon, plastics, explosives, and chemical products. In the present trade agreement the duty-free status is bound. Production of pulp in the United States reached a total of 7 million tons in 1939, but this has been surpassed in all years since. In 1946 production amounted to 10.6 million tons. Imports reached a peak of 2.4 million tons in 1937. During the war imports from Europe were cut off, and since the war imports have been limited by reason of the world pulp shortage. However, in both 1945 and 1946 the quantity imported exceeded 1.7 million tons. Sweden, Canada, Finland, and Norway were the principal prewar sources. Since the beginning of the war Canada has been by far the most important source. Imports were resumed from Sweden in 1945 and from Finland in 1946. Exports are very small. Standard newsprint Par. 1772 (Tariff Act of 1930). - Standard newsprint paper is a kind of printing paper customarily used for the printing of newspapers. In order to be so classed, it must conform to the specifications set forth by the Treasury Department. In this trade agreement it is bound duty-free. United States production of newsprint gradually decreased from 1.6 million tons in 1925 to 721,000 tons in 1944. After that year output increased to 773,000 tons in 1946. Imports increased from 628,000 tons in 1919 to 3.5 million tons in 1946, and exports dropped from 22,000 tons in 1925 to 6,000 tons in 1938. In 1941 exports were 70,000 tons after which they again receded to 28,000 tons in 1946. Total United States consumption had risen irregularly from 2 million tons in 1921 to over 4 million tons in 1937. It amounted to 4.3 million tons in 1946. Canada supplied from 85 to 90 percent of the prewar imports. Red cedar shingles Par. 1760 (Tariff Act of 1930). - Red cedar shingles heretofore an item in the trade agreement with Carada is not included in the new agreement. This results in discontinuing the present duty of 25 cents per square on annual imports in excess of 30 percent of the average, for the preceding 3 years, of the combined total of domestic shipments and imports. Red cedar shingles revert therefore to the status prior to the 1936 trade agreement with Canada i.e. free of duty and without provision for duty free entry of specified quantities. Domestic production of red cedar shingles amounted to 6.2 million squares in 1939, to 3.5 million squares in 1943, and to 3.2 million squares in 1946. ports in the same years amounted to 2.7 million squares, 1.4 million squares, and 1.5 million squares. Canada is the source of all imports. Exports are very small. Im Nonmetallic Minerals The items or groups of items discussed under specific headings below are some of the principal ones in the nonmetallic minerals classification on which concessions were made in the recent trade agreement negotiations. Gasoline and naphtha - Par. 1733 (Tariff Act of 1930). - The excise tax on imports of gasoline and other motor fuel, which has been 2 cents a gallon since 1932, was reduced to 1 cents a gallon in the recent trade-agreement negotiations. Taxable imports in 1939 were valued at only $12,000, practically all from the Netherlands West Indies. In 1946 they amounted to $23,000, of which $15,000 entered from Netherlands West Indies and $8,000 from Canada. United States production is enormous. Exports are large amounting to $106,386,000 in 1939, and $113,944,000 in 1946. The excise tax on imports of naphtha was reduced from cent to cent a gallon. In 1939 imports were valued at $154,000, practically all from the Netherlands West Indies. In 1946 they amounted to $8,000, principally from Canada. During the period January-August 1947, about $450,000 worth was imported, mostly from Mexico. Data on United States production are not available, but exports in 1939 were valued at $4,339,000, and in 1946 at $2,332,000. The Exports of gasoline and naphtha go to all parts of the world. most important markets in 1946 were the United Kingdom, France, Canada, China, and Mexico. Paraffin and paraffin wax Par. 1733 (Tariff Act of 1930). The excise tax on imports of paraffin wax was reduced from 1 cent to cent per pound in the recent trade-agreement negotiations. Imports in 1939 were valued at $1,001,000, nearly all from the Netherlands Indies. In 1946 they amounted to only $7,000, of which $6,000 came from Canada; in the first 8 months of 1947, to $17,000, also almost wholly from Canada. United States production had an estimated value of 15 million dollars in 1939, and at least 30 million dollars in 1946. Exports amounted to $7,861,000 in 1939 and $12,507,000 in 1946. American paraffin is used all over the world. The leading markets in 1946 were the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, Sweden, China, and Chile. Unfinished petroleum oils - Par. 1733 (Tariff Act of 1930). The excise tax on imports of unfinished oils was reduced in the recent trade agreement negotiations from cent to cent a gallon. In 1939 taxable imports of unfinished oils, including topped crude, were valued at $4,541,000, nearly all from the Netherlands West Indies. However, more than half of the reported imports consisted of topped crude, on which the excise tax was reduced in December 1939. amounted to $30,000, nearly all from Canada; of 1947 to $365,000, nearly all from Canada. are products not ready for use, most of the shipments which appear in published statistics are intracompany transfers or transactions between affiliated companies. In 1946 taxable imports during the first 8 months Since unfinished oils Earthenware table and kitchen articles, decorated Par. 211 (Tariff Act of 1930). - In the present trade agreement the duty on decorated earthenware plates, cups and saucers, valued above certain minimums was reduced from 10 cents per dozen pieces plus 30 percent ad valorem to 10 cents per dozen plus 20 percent. The minimum values are about 25 Production of earthen tableware in the United States amounted to about 27 million dozen pieces in 1939 and to about 40 million dozen pieces in 1946. Imports amounted to 2.9 million dozen pieces in 1939 and to about 1 million dozen pieces in 1946. Exports have been a very small proportion of production. China table and kitchen articles Par. 212 (Tariff Act of 1930). - The rate of duty on undecorated bone china tableware was reduced from 40 percent to 30 percent ad valorem but not less than 5 cents per dozen and 25 percent ad valorem. The rate on decorated bone china tableware was reduced from 45 percent to 35 percent ad valorem, but not less than 5 cents per dozen and 30 percent ad valorem. The rate of duty on decorated household china tableware (other than bone) was reduced from 10 cents per dozen pieces plus 70 percent ad valorem to 10 cents per dozen pieces plus 45 percent on medium-priced ware and to 10 cents per dozen plus 35 percent on higher-priced ware. Production of household china tableware in the United States in new Chinaware (except table, chemical, electrical, and sanitary wares), chiefly art ware Par. 212 (Tariff Act of 1930). In the trade agreement the rates of duty on this class of bone chinaware have been reduced from 45 percent to 25 percent ad valorem on decorated ware and from 40 percent to 25 percent on undecorated ware. In the new agreement the rates of duty on this class of chinaware, other than bone china, have been reduced as follows: On decorated ware, from 70 percent to 50 cents per dozen pieces, but not less then 45 percent nor more than 70 percent ad valorem; and on undecorated ware from 60 percent to 40 cents per dozen pieces, but not less than 40 percent nor more than 60 percent ad valorem. Production of art pottery, chinaware and earthenware in the United States increased from about 7 million dollars in 1939 to about 60 million dollars in each of the years 1945 and 1946. Chinaware may, have accounted for 20 to 30 percent of this output. Imports of art pottery in 1937 supplied about 50 percent of the Table and art glassware, blown or decorated Par. 218(f) (Tariff Act United States production of blown or decorated table and art glassware amounted to about 8 million dollars in 1939 and to 23 million dollars in 1946. Imports of such ware in 1939 were 1 million dollars and in 1946 almost 2 million dollars. Czechoslovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are currently the chief suppliers, whereas before the war Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Japan were the leading sources of imports. Exports in 1939 were negligible, but in 1946 they exceeded a million dollars. Sheet (window) glass Par. 219 (Tariff Act of 1930). In the present trade agreement the rates of duty on sheet glass, commonly called window glass, were reduced 30 percent. The new rates range from 63/64 cents per pound to 1-62/64 cents per pound, depending on the size (superficial area) of the glass. The rates established in the Tariff Act of 1930 ranged from 1-7/8 cents per pound to 3-3/4 cents per pound. These rates were reduced 25 percent by Presidential proclamation, effective in 1932. United States production of sheet glass amounted to over 700 million pounds in 1937 and to over 800 million pounds in 1946. Imports in 1937, principally from Belgium and Czechoslovakia, amounted to about 46 million pounds in 1937 and to less than 75,000 pounds in 1946. United States exports in 1937, mainly to Canada and Latin American countries, amounted to about 375,000 pounds in 1937 and to over 40 million pounds in 1946. Plate glass Par. 222 (Tariff Act of 1930). In the present trade agreement, the rates of duty on plate glass have been reduced 50 percent. The new agreement rates are 4-3/20, 5-13/20, 5-17/20, and 6-3/5 cents per square foot depending on the superficial area. Im United States production of plate glass in 1937 amounted to about 192 million square feet, and in 1946 to 210 million square feet. ports in 1937 amounted to about 2 million square feet and in 1946 to 137,000 square feet. Belgium has been the chief source of imports. United States exports of plate glass have steadily increased, from slightly over 3 million square feet in 1937 to over 71⁄2 million square feet in 1946. Canada and Latin America have been the principal markets. Mica, unmanufactured (sheet mica)- Par. 208 (Tariff Act of 1930). Sheet mica is used largely in the electrical industry for insulating purposes. In the present trade agreement the rate of duty on unmanufactured mica valued at not above 15 cents per pound was bound at 4 cents per pound. On mica valued at above 15 cents per pound the rate was reduced from 4 cents per pound and 25 percent ad valorem to 2 cents per pound and 15 percent ad valorem. United States production of sheet mica amounted to $139,000 in 1939 and to an estimated value of over $500,000 in 1946. Imports were valued at $266,000 in 1939 and at $2,048,000 in 1946. Talc, ground or pulverized - Par. 209 (Tariff Act of 1930). - Ground talc is used chiefly in the manufacture of paint, rubber, roofing, ceramics, paper, insecticides and toilet preparations. In the present trade agreement the rate of duty on this material, when valued at not more than $14 per long ton, was reduced from 17 percent to 10 percent ad valorem. (The rate of duty on imports valued at more than $14 per ton (35 percent) was not changed.) The United States is the world's largest producer and consumer of ground talc. Production amounted in 1939 to 236,000 tons and in 1946 to more than 400,000 tons. Imports of all ground talc in 1939 supplied about 10 percent of the total United States consumption and about half of such imports consisted of the lower valued material, largely from Canada. Imports of this quality of talc declined from 13,800 tons in 1939 to 6,400 tons in 1946. United States exports are relatively small, but may have approximated imports in recent years. Graphite, crystalline flake - Par. 213 (Tariff Act of 1930). Crystalline flake graphite is used in the manufacture of metallurgical crucibles and other refractory products. In the present trade agreement the rate of duty on flake graphite was reduced from 30 percent with a specific minimum of 0.825 cents per pound and a specific maximum of 1.65 cents per pound to 15 percent ad valorem with a specific minimum of 0.4125 of a cent per pound and a specific maximum of 0.825 of a cent per pound. United States production of crystalline flake graphite suitable for the manufacture of crucibles is negligible. Domestic requirements are supplied almost wholly by imports from Madagascar, either directly or by transshipment through France. In 1939 imports of flake graphite were 2,260 short tons; in 1944 they amounted to over 6,000 tons, but decreased in 1946 to 3,337 tons. Caustic calcined magnesite Par. 204 (Tariff Act of 1930). Caustic calcined magnesite is used chiefly for the production of magnesium metal and certain types of flooring and stucco. In the present trade agreement the rate of duty on both lump and ground caustic calcined magnesite was reduced from 15/16 of a cent per pound to 15/32 of a cent per pound ($9.375 per short ton). Im Production of caustic calcined magnesite in the United States amounted to 10,000 short tons in 1939 and to 45,000 tons in 1946. ports amounted to 2,200 tons in 1939 and 442 tons in 1946. British India is the principal foreign source for caustic calcined magnesite in lump form and the Netherlands furnishes the bulk of the imported ground material. China clay or kaolin Par. 207 (Tariff Act of 1930). China clay or kaolin is a white or nearly white clay used largely in the manufacture of certain kinds of paper and pottery. In the present trade agreement the rate of duty on imports of this clay has been reduced from $1.75 per ton to $1.25 per ton. Production of china clay in the United States amounted to 781,000 tons in 1939 and to 1,322,000 tons in 1946. Imports, practically all from England, declined from 115,000 tons in 1939 to 89,000 tons in 1946. Exports have been negligible. Perfume bottles and jars--hand-made - Par. 218(e) (Tariff Act of 1930). In the present trade agreement the rates of duty on unfilled hand-made perfume bottles and jars were reduced from 75 percent to 50 percent ad valorem on bottles and from 75 percent to 371⁄2 percent on jars. United States production of hand-made bottles, used largely for perfumes, amounted to a half million dollars in 1939 and to about a million and a half dollars in 1946. Imports of hand-made bottles and jars, chiefly from France and Czechoslovakia, exceeded 1/4 million dollars in 1939; in 1946 they declined to 160 thousand dollars. Exports are negligible. |