1998
PUBLIC LAW 93-618-JAN. 3, 1975
[38 STAT.
tiaTi'nformation"' ^^^ Information, other than that described in paragraph (A), and advice. ^nd advicB submitted in confidence by the private sector to officers or employees of the United States, to the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations or to any advisory committee established under subsection (c), in connection with trade negotiations, shall not be disclosed to any person other than— (i) the individuals described in subparagraph (A), and (ii) the appropriate advisory committees established under this section. Rules governing ^2) Information submitted in confi.dence by officers or employees of clo^s^e.'"" '^ the United States to the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations, or to any advisory committee established under subsection (c), shall not be disclosed other than in accordance with rules issued by the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations and the Secretary of Commerce, Labor or Agriculture, as appropriate, after consultation with the relevant advisory committees established under subsection (c). Such rules shall define the categories of information which rec[uire restricted or confidential handling by such committee considering the extent to which public disclosure of such information can reasonably be expected to prejudice United States negotiating objectives. Such rules shall, to the maximum extent feasible, permit meaningful consultations by advisory committee members with persons afi'ected by proposed trade agreements. Staff, informa(h) The Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, and the tion, personnel, Secretary of Commerce, Labor, or Agriculture, as appropriate, shall services and assistance to adprovide such staff, information, personnel, and administrative services visory committees. and assistance to advisory committees established pursuant to subsection (c) as such committees may reasonably require to carry out their activities. Procedures for (i) I t shall be the responsibility of the Special Representative for consultation. Trade Negotiations, in conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce, Labor, or Agriculture, as appropriate, to adopt procedures for consultation with and obtaining information and advice from the advisory committees established pursuant to subsection (c) on a continuing and timely basis, both during preparation for negotiations and actual negotiations. Such consultation shall include the provision of information to each'advisory committee as to (1) significant issues and developments arising in preparation for or in the course of such negotiations, and (2) overall negotiating objectives and positions of the United States and other parties to the negotiations. The Special Representative for Trade Negotiations shall not be bound by the advice or recommendations of such advisory committees but the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations shall inform the advisory committees of failures to accept such advice or recommendations, and the President Post, p. 2009. shall include in his statement to the Congress, required by section 163, ^p°'^'a report by the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations on consultation with such committees, issues involved in such consultation, and the reasons for not accepting advice or recommendations. (j) I n addition to any advisory committee established pursuant to this section, the President shall provide adequate, timely and continuing opportunity for the submission on an informal and, if such information is submitted under the provisions of subsection (g), confidential basis by private organizations or groups, representing labor, industry, agriculture, small business, service industries, consumer interests, and others, of statistics, data, and other trade information, as well as policy recommendations, pertinent to the negotiation of any trade agreement referred to in section 101 or 102.
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