RECU 14.W36:99-1 JAPANESE VOLUNTARY RESTRAINTS ON AUTO HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRADE OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS NINETY-NINTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION FEBRUARY 28 AND MARCH 4, 1985 Serial 99-1 Printed for the use of the Committee on Ways and Means COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS DAN ROSTENKOWSKI, Illinois, Chairman SAM M. GIBBONS, Florida J.J. PICKLE, Texas CHARLES B. RANGEL, New York FORTNEY H. (PETE) STARK, California RICHARD A. GEPHARDT, Missouri ROBERT T. MATSUI, California JOHN J. DUNCAN, Tennessee GUY VANDER JAGT, Michigan W. HENSON MOORE, Louisiana South Carolina WILLIAM M. THOMAS, California RAYMOND J. McGRATH, New York HAL DAUB, Nebraska JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire Automobile Importers of America, Inc., George C. Nield and Bruce Aitken ....... Chrysler Corp., Robert S. Miller, Jr., and Robert A. Perkins. International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Imple- JAPANESE VOLUNTARY RESTRAINTS ON AUTO EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1985 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 11:35 a.m., in room 1100, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Sam M. Gibbons (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. [The press release announcing the hearings follow:] [For immediate release Friday, February 15, 1985] THE HONORABLE Sam M. GibBONS (D., FLA.), Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade, COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ANNOUNCES HEARINGS ON JAPANESE VOLUNTARY RESTRAINTS ON AUTO EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, FEBRUARY 28 and MARCH 4, 1985 The Honorable Sam M. Gibbons (D., Fla.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, today announced hearings to examine the issue of voluntary restraints on automobile exports to the United States, which are scheduled to expire on March 31, 1985. These restraints, which have been in place since April 1, 1981, were imposed in response to a desire to give U.S. auto manufacturers a temporary "breathing space," allowing them to make the transition to new competitive conditions characterized by high energy prices and sharply increased demand for small, fuel-efficient cars. Some recent studies have raised questions about the impact of these restraints on the U.S. economy and on the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry. At the same time, the large bilateral trade deficit with Japan and questions about the impact on U.S. auto companies of removing the voluntary restraints are concerns which deserve attention. The purpose of the hearings will be to establish a full record of views on whether · the voluntary restraints should be allowed to expire, be extended at current levels, or be modified in some way. Testimony will be received from both government and private sector witnesses, as well as from knowledgeable industry analysts. The hearings will be held on Thursday, February 28, 1985, beginning at 11:30 a.m., in the main Committee hearing room, 1100 Longworth House Office Building. The hearings will continue on Monday, March 4, 1985, at 1:30 p.m. in the same location. A list of witnesses will be announced prior to the hearings. DETAILS FOR SUBMISSION OF REQUESTS TO BE HEARD Requests to be heard must be made by telephone to Harriet Lawler [telephone (202) 225-3627] by close of business, Friday, February 22, 1985. The request should be followed by a formal written request addressed to Joseph K. Dowley, Chief Counsel, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, Room 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. In view of the limited time available to hear witnesses, the Subcommittee will not be able to accommodate all requests to be heard. Those persons and organizations not scheduled for an oral appearance will be encouraged to submit written statements for the record of the hearings. All persons requesting to be heard, whether (1) |