Consolidated TPP Text – Appendix D-1 – Between Japan And The United States On Motor Vehicle Trade

Article 1

1. For the purposes of this Appendix:

Appendix Party means either Japan or the United States, as the case may be;

motor vehicle means any good classified under heading 87.03 or 87.04;

originating motor vehicle means any motor vehicle qualifying as originating under Chapter 3 (Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures); and

TBT Agreement means the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, as may be amended.

The definitions of the terms used in this Appendix contained in Annex 1 of the TBT Agreement, including the chapeau and explanatory notes of Annex 1, are incorporated into this Appendix and shall form part of this Appendix mutatis mutandis.

2. Article 2, Article 3 and Article 4 shall apply to the preparation, adoption and application of all technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures of central government bodies that may affect trade in motor vehicles between the Appendix Parties, except as provided in paragraphs 4 and 5.

3. All references in this Appendix to technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures shall be construed to include any amendments to them and any addition to the rules or the product coverage of those technical regulations, standards and procedures, except amendments and additions of an insignificant nature.

4. This Appendix shall not apply to technical specifications prepared by a governmental entity for its production or consumption requirements. These specifications are covered by Chapter 15 (Government Procurement).

5. This Appendix shall not apply to sanitary and phytosanitary measures. These are covered by Chapter 7 (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures).

6. No Party other than an Appendix Party shall have recourse to dispute settlement under Chapter 28 (Dispute Settlement) for any matter arising under this Appendix or to dispute settlement under Article 7 for any matter arising under this Agreement. No Appendix Party shall have recourse to dispute settlement under Chapter 28 (Dispute Settlement) for nullification or impairment within the meaning of Article 28.3.1(c) (Scope) for any matter arising under Article 6, Article 7 or Article 8 of this Appendix.

Article 2

1. Except in those urgent circumstances referred to in Article 2.10 and Article 5.7 of the TBT Agreement, for any technical regulation or conformity assessment procedure that would require a substantial change in motor vehicle design or technology, each Appendix Party shall provide an interval between the date of publication of the technical regulation or conformity assessment procedure and the date on which compliance with the measure becomes mandatory that is usually not less than 12 months.

2. Each Appendix Party shall ensure that its advisory committees and similar groups established by, or operated under the direction of, an agency of the central level of government to provide to it advice or recommendations by consensus that could result in regulations or other measures that would materially affect the certification, importation, sale, distribution or functioning of motor vehicles, are established and operated in a transparent manner.^{Footnote 1} To that end, each Appendix Party shall ensure that, in accordance with its laws and regulations:^{Footnote 2}, ^{Footnote 3}

• (a) timely notice of the formation of such advisory committees and similar groups is published;
• (b) timely notice of meetings of such advisory committees and similar groups is published;
• (c) meetings of such advisory committees and similar groups are open to the public;
• (d) interested persons have opportunities to appear before or file statements with such advisory committees and similar groups; and
• (e) detailed meeting minutes and other documents made available to or prepared by such advisory committees and similar groups are made available to the public.

3.

• (a) Each Appendix Party shall, no later than the date on which it first supplies information in writing to a non-governmental expert^{Footnote 4} or interested person for comment,^{Footnote 5} regarding a technical regulation, standard or conformity assessment procedure affecting motor vehicles that it is developing, make the same information publicly available, such as by publishing the information on an official website.
• (b) Following the provision of information under subparagraph (a), the Appendix Party providing such information shall, on request of the other Appendix Party, provide additional available information with respect to the technical regulation, standard or conformity assessment procedure concerned, such as information regarding other regulatory approaches under consideration and analysis of the impact of that regulatory measure and those approaches.^{Footnote 6}

4.

• (a) Each Appendix Party shall endeavour to periodically^{Footnote 7} conduct post-implementation reviews of its significant regulations setting out technical regulations, standards or conformity assessment procedures that affect motor vehicles.
• (b) For the purposes of this paragraph:

post-implementation review means an examination of the effectiveness of a technical regulation, standard or conformity assessment procedure after it has been implemented, including, as appropriate, an assessment of whether it achieves its stated objectives, the burden it imposes and its compatibility with other technical regulations, standards or conformity assessment procedures the Appendix Party has adopted.^{Footnote 8}

Article 3

1. The Appendix Parties shall cooperate bilaterally, including in their activities under the Agreement concerning the Establishing of Global Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be fitted and/or be used on Wheeled Vehicles (1998 Agreement), to harmonise standards for motor vehicle environmental performance and safety.

2. Each Appendix Party shall ensure that technical regulations related to motor vehicles are not prepared, adopted or applied with a view to or with the effect of creating unnecessary obstacles to international trade, to the extent provided for in Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement. For this purpose, technical regulations related to motor vehicles shall not be more trade-restrictive than necessary to fulfil a legitimate objective, taking account of the risks non-fulfilment would create. Such legitimate objectives are, inter alia: national security requirements; the prevention of deceptive practices; and protection of human health or safety, animal or plant life or health, or the environment. In assessing such risks, relevant elements of consideration are, inter alia: available scientific and technical information, related processing technology or intended end-uses of products.

3. Neither Appendix Party shall prevent or unduly delay the placing on its market of a motor vehicle product on the ground that the product incorporates a new technology or a new feature which has not yet been regulated, unless the Appendix Party finds, based on scientific or technical information, that this new technology or new feature poses a risk for human health or safety, or the environment.^{Footnote 9}, ^{Footnote 10}

4. When an Appendix Party decides to refuse the placing on its market or require the withdrawal from its market of a motor vehicle product on the ground that the product incorporates a new technology or a new feature posing a risk for human health or safety, or the environment, the Appendix Party shall immediately notify the importer of the product of its decision. The notification shall include all relevant scientific or technical information.

5. Each Appendix Party shall adopt or maintain efficient procedures for the temporary importation of motor vehicles incorporating new technologies or new features for the purposes of demonstration, display or road testing within its territory. Each Appendix Party shall facilitate the entry of such vehicles into its territory in accordance with these procedures regardless of whether they comply with otherwise applicable standards or technical regulations.^{Footnote 11}

6.

• (a) With respect to requirements of a safety regulation under the Road Vehicle Law (Law No. 185 of 1951) of Japan (Road Vehicle Law) that the competent authority of Japan identified as of April 1, 2015,^{Footnote 12} if the competent authority of Japan finds that a requirement of the U.S. FMVSS is no less stringent than the requirement under the Road Vehicle Law to which it corresponds, originating motor vehicles from the United States classified under heading 87.03 that comply with such a requirement of the U.S. FMVSS shall be deemed to comply with that requirement under the Road Vehicle Law. Such treatment shall apply unless that requirement under the Road Vehicle Law is modified and, as modified, is substantially more stringent than previously.^{Footnote 13}  In that event, Japan shall continue to provide such treatment for a period that is usually not less than 12 months after the date on which the requirement under the Road Vehicle Law is modified.
• (b) Japan shall permit the importation and use of any motor vehicle part necessary to repair or service an originating motor vehicle from the United States classified under heading 87.03 that, at the time of the motor vehicle’s initial inspection in Japan, was deemed, pursuant to subparagraph (a), to comply with a requirement under the Road Vehicle Law, provided that the part meets the same specifications of the part originally installed in the motor vehicle at the time of its initial inspection.
• (c) For the purposes of this paragraph:

U.S. FMVSS means Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard of the United States; and

initial inspection means the inspection that motor vehicles must undergo in order to be used for transport in Japan in accordance with the Road Vehicle Law.

Article 4

1. Japan shall not adopt any requirement under the Preferential Handling Procedure that is not applied on the date of entry into force of this Agreement with respect to Japan and the United States and that increases the burden, including the complexity and cost, for importers under the Preferential Handling Procedure, except for requirements related to new technical regulations or amendments to existing technical regulations that are prepared, adopted and applied in a manner consistent with Article 3.2 after that date, or for an increase of fees and charges commensurate with the cost of services rendered under the Preferential Handling Procedure.

2. Japan shall ensure that the Preferential Handling Procedure and its relevant regulations are adopted and applied in a manner that does not preclude the eligibility of motor vehicles imported under the Preferential Handling Procedure for any financial incentive measures of central government bodies^{Footnote 14} with respect to motor vehicles.^{Footnote 15}

3. For the purposes of this Article:

Preferential Handling Procedure means a simplified conformity assessment procedure conducted exclusively for imported motor vehicles up to a designated number for each type, in accordance with the notification of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan.

Article 5

To the extent that an Appendix Party maintains and applies any laws or regulations at the central level of government with respect to zoning applicable to the establishment of distribution or repair facilities for motor vehicles, it shall ensure such laws or regulations are applied in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner.^{Footnote 16}

Article 6

An Appendix Party may apply a transitional safeguard measure on originating motor vehicles from the other Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03 or 87.04, during the transition period only, in accordance with the provisions set out in Chapter 6 (Trade Remedies), with the following procedural modifications:

• (a) In lieu of the definition of transition period provided for in Article 6.1 (Definitions), the following definition shall apply:
  
  transition period means the period beginning on the date of entry into force of this Agreement with respect to Japan and the United States and ending on the date that is 10 years after the end of the period of the staged tariff elimination for a particular good.
• (b) In lieu of Article 6.4.2 (Standards for a Transitional Safeguard Measure), the following shall apply:
  
  Neither Appendix Party shall apply a transitional safeguard measure for a period exceeding two years, except that the period may be extended by up to two years if the competent authority of the Appendix Party that applies the measure determines, in conformity with the procedures set out in Article 6.5 (Investigation Procedures and Transparency Requirements), that the transitional safeguard measure continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury and to facilitate adjustment.
• (c) Paragraphs 4 and 6 of Article 6.4 (Standards for a Transitional Safeguard Measure) shall not apply.
• (d) In lieu of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6.7 (Compensation), the following shall apply:
  • (i) an Appendix Party applying a transitional safeguard measure shall consult with the other Appendix Party in order to mutually agree on appropriate trade liberalising compensation in the form of concessions that have substantially equivalent trade effects or equivalent to the value of the additional duties expected to result from the transitional safeguard measure. The Appendix Party shall provide an opportunity for those consultations no later than 30 days after the application of the transitional safeguard measure;
  • (ii) if the consultations under subparagraph (d)(i) do not result in an agreement on trade liberalising compensation within 30 days after the consultations begin, the Appendix Party against whose good the transitional safeguard measure is applied may suspend the application of substantially equivalent concessions to the trade of the Appendix Party applying the transitional safeguard measure; and
  • (iii) the right of suspension referred to in subparagraph (d)(ii) shall not be exercised for the first 24 months during which a transitional safeguard measure is in effect, provided that the transitional safeguard measure conforms to the provisions of this Agreement.

Article 7

1. For the purposes of this Article, the definitions set out in Article 28.1 (Definitions) shall apply, mutatis mutandis.^{Footnote 17}

2. With respect to any matter described in Article 28.3 (Scope) that relates to motor vehicles, an Appendix Party may initiate the dispute settlement procedures set out in this Article in lieu of the procedures provided for in Article 28.4 (Choice of Forum), Article 28.5 (Consultations), Article 28.6 (Good Offices, Conciliation and Mediation), Article 28.7 (Establishment of a Panel), Article 28.8 (Terms of Reference), Article 28.9 (Composition of Panels), Article 28.10 (Qualifications of Panellists), Article 28.11 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists), Article 28.12 (Function of Panels), Article 28.13 (Rules of Procedure for Panels), Article 28.14 (Third Party Participation), Article 28.15 (Role of Experts), Article 28.16 (Suspension or Termination of Proceedings), Article 28.17 (Initial Report), Article 28.18 (Final Report), Article 28.19 (Implementation of Final Report), Article 28.20 (Non-Implementation – Compensation and Suspension of Benefits) and Article 28.21 (Compliance Review).^{Footnote 18}

3.

• (a) An Appendix Party may request consultations with the other Appendix Party with respect to any matter described in paragraph 2. The Appendix Party making the request for consultations shall do so in writing, and shall set out the reasons for the request, including identification of the actual or proposed measure or other matter at issue and an indication of the legal basis for the complaint. The requesting Appendix Party shall circulate the request concurrently to the other Parties through the overall contact points designated under Article 27.5.1 (Contact Points).
• (b) The Appendix Party to which a request for consultations is made shall, unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, reply in writing to the request no later than seven days after the date of its receipt of the request.^{Footnote 19}  That Appendix Party shall circulate its reply concurrently to the other Parties through the overall contact points and enter into consultations in good faith.
• (c) Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, they shall enter into consultations no later than 15 days after the date of receipt of the request.
• (d) Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, paragraphs 5 through 8 of Article 28.5 (Consultations) shall apply, mutatis mutandis,^{Footnote 20} to the consultations under this paragraph.

4.

• (a) An Appendix Party that requested consultations under paragraph 3(a) may request, by means of a written notice addressed to the other Appendix Party, the establishment of a panel if the Appendix Parties fail to resolve the matter within a period of 30 days after the date of receipt of the request for consultations under paragraph 3(a).
• (b) The complaining Appendix Party shall circulate the request concurrently to the other Parties through the overall contact points designated under Article 27.5.1 (Contact Points).
• (c) Paragraphs 3, 4 and 7 of Article 28.7 (Establishment of a Panel) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the establishment of a panel. Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, the panel shall be composed in a manner consistent with this Article and, subject to the time frames set out in paragraph 6, the Rules of Procedure.

5.

• (a) Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise no later than 15 days after the date of delivery of the request for the establishment of a panel, the terms of reference shall be to:
  • (i) examine, in the light of the relevant provisions of this Agreement, the matter referred to in the request for the establishment of a panel under paragraph 4(a); and
  • (ii) make findings and determinations, and any jointly requested recommendations, together with its reasons therefor, as provided for in Article 28.17.4 (Initial Report) as applied pursuant to paragraph 8.
• (b) If, in its request for the establishment of a panel, the complaining Appendix Party claims that a measure nullifies or impairs benefits within the meaning of Article 28.3.1(c) (Scope), the terms of reference shall so indicate.

6.

• (a) A panel shall be composed of three members.
• (b) Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, they shall apply the following procedures to compose a panel:
  • (i) Within a period of 15 days after the date of delivery of the request for the establishment of a panel under paragraph 4(a), the complaining Appendix Party, on the one hand, and the responding Appendix Party, on the other, shall each appoint a panellist and notify each other of those appointments.
  • (ii) If the complaining Appendix Party fails to appoint a panellist within the period specified in subparagraph (b)(i), the dispute settlement proceedings shall lapse at the end of that period.
  • (iii) If the responding Appendix Party fails to appoint a panellist within the period specified in subparagraph (b)(i), the complaining Appendix Party shall select the panellist not yet appointed:
    • (A) from the responding Appendix Party’s list established under Article 28.11.9 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists);
    • (B) if the responding Appendix Party has not established a list under Article 28.11.9 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists), from the roster of panel chairs established under Article 28.11 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists); or
    • (C) if the responding Appendix Party has not established a list under Article 28.11.9 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists) and no roster of panel chairs has been established under Article 28.11 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists), by random selection from a list of three candidates, who are not nationals of the complaining Appendix Party, nominated by the complaining Appendix Party,
  • no later than 20 days after the date of delivery of the request for the establishment of a panel under paragraph 4(a).
  • (iv) For appointment of the third panellist, who shall serve as chair:
    • (A) the Appendix Parties shall endeavour to agree on the appointment of a chair;
    • (B) if the Appendix Parties fail to appoint a chair under subparagraph (b)(iv)(A) within a period of 15 days after the date of delivery of the request for the establishment of the panel under paragraph 4(a), the Appendix Parties shall select the chair by random selection from the roster established under Article 28.11 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists) within a period of 20 days after the date of delivery of the request for the establishment of the panel; or
    • (C) if a roster has not been established under Article 28.11 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists), and subparagraphs (b)(iv)(A) and (B) cannot apply, each Appendix Party may nominate up to three candidates. The chair shall be randomly selected from those candidates that are nominated within a period of 20 days after the date of delivery of the request for the establishment of a panel under paragraph 4(a).
    • (D) The chair shall not be a national of either Appendix Party and any nationals of the Appendix Parties appointed to the roster established under Article 28.11 (Roster of Panel Chairs and Party Specific Lists) shall be excluded from a selection process under subparagraph (b)(iv).
  • (v) If a panellist selected under subparagraph (b)(iii) or (iv)(B) is unable to serve on the panel, the Appendix Parties shall meet no later than five days after the date of learning that the panellist is unavailable to select another panellist from among the remaining members of the list (in the case of subparagraph (b)(iii)), or the roster (in the case of subparagraph (b)(iv)(B)).
  • (vi) If a panellist appointed under this paragraph resigns or becomes unable to serve on the panel, either during the course of proceeding or when the panel is reconvened under paragraph 10(b), 13 or 17, a replacement panellist shall be appointed within 12 days in accordance with the selection procedures prescribed in this subparagraph for the appointment of the original panellist. The replacement shall have all the powers and duties of the original panellist. The work of the panel shall be suspended pending the appointment of the replacement panellist, and all time frames set out in this Article and in the Rules of Procedure shall be extended by the amount of time that the work was suspended.
  • (vii) Paragraphs 4, 5 and 10 of Article 28.9 (Composition of Panels) shall apply, mutatis mutandis,^{Footnote 21} to the selection procedures.

7. All panellists shall meet the requirements set out in Article 28.10.1 (Qualifications of Panellists). An individual shall not serve as a panellist for a dispute in which that person has participated under Article 28.6 (Good Offices, Conciliation, and Mediation) as applied pursuant to paragraph 8.

8. Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, Article 28.4 (Choice of Forum), Article 28.6 (Good Offices, Conciliation and Mediation), Article 28.12 (Function of Panels), Article 28.15 (Role of Experts), Article 28.16 (Suspension or Termination of Proceedings), Article 28.17 (Initial Report) and Article 28.18 (Final Report) shall apply, mutatis mutandis,^{Footnote 22} to panel proceedings under this Article, except that:

• (a) with respect to Article 28.17.3 (Initial Report), the panel shall present an initial report to the Appendix Parties no later than 120 days after the date of the appointment of the last panellist;
• (b) with respect to Article 28.17.4 (Initial Report), the panel shall also make a determination as to whether the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment, if any, has materially affected the sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use of originating motor vehicles from the complaining Appendix Party;
• (c) with respect to Article 28.17.7 (Initial Report), an Appendix Party may submit written comments to the panel on its initial report no later than 10 days after the presentation of the initial report or within another period as the Appendix Parties may agree; and
• (d) with respect to Article 28.18.1 (Final Report), the panel shall present a final report to the Appendix Parties, including any separate opinions on matters not unanimously agreed, no later than 20 days after presentation of the initial report. After taking any steps to protect confidential information, and no later than seven days after the presentation of the final report, the Appendix Parties shall release the final report to the public.

9. Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 28.19 (Implementation of Final Report) shall apply, mutatis mutandis,^{Footnote 23} to the implementation of the final report.

10.

• (a) Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, if in its final report the panel determines that:
  • (i)
    • (A) the measure at issue is inconsistent with an Appendix Party’s obligations in this Agreement;
    • (B) an Appendix Party has otherwise failed to carry out its obligations in this Agreement; or
    • (C) the measure at issue is causing nullification or impairment within the meaning of Article 28.3.1(c) (Scope); and
  • (ii) the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment that the panel has determined to exist has materially affected the sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use of originating motor vehicles from the complaining Appendix Party,
• the complaining Appendix Party may suspend the application to the responding Appendix Party of benefits or take action in accordance with paragraphs 11 through 17.
• (b) Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, if in its final report the panel determines that the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment that the panel has determined to exist under subparagraph (a)(i) has not materially affected the sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use of originating motor vehicles from the complaining Appendix Party, the procedures provided for in paragraphs 3 through 7 of Article 28.19 (Implementation of Final Report), Article 28.20 (Non-Implementation – Compensation and Suspension of Benefits) and Article 28.21 (Compliance Review) shall apply, mutatis mutandis.

11. If a final report that contains a determination described in paragraph 10(a) is presented to the Appendix Parties under paragraph 8(d) on or after the date on which customs duties imposed by the complaining Appendix Party on originating motor vehicles from the responding Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 or HTSUS 8704.90.00 have begun to be reduced in accordance with the complaining Appendix Party’s Schedule to Annex 2-D (Tariff Commitments), taking into account any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination as a result of previous action taken pursuant to paragraph 14(a)(i), the complaining Appendix Party may increase the rate of customs duty on those originating motor vehicles:

• (a) to a level not to exceed the prevailing most-favoured-nation applied rate of customs duty on those motor vehicles, for a period of up to 90 days after the release of the final report under paragraph 8(d); and
• (b) thereafter, to a level not to exceed the prevailing most-favoured-nation applied rate of customs duty on those motor vehicles, less 50 per cent of the difference between that rate and the rate of customs duty on those originating motor vehicles set out in the complaining Appendix Party’s Schedule to Annex 2-D (Tariff Commitments), as adjusted to take into account any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination as a result of previous action taken pursuant to paragraph 14(a)(i),

provided that the complaining Appendix Party shall not suspend the application to the responding Appendix Party of benefits under this paragraph following a determination by the panel under paragraph 13.

12.

• (a) At any time after release of a final report that contains a determination described in paragraph 10(a), the complaining Appendix Party may provide a written notice to the responding Appendix Party that it intends to suspend benefits under paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b), or to take action under paragraph 14(a)(i). The notice shall specify the level of benefits that the complaining Appendix Party proposes to suspend under paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b), or the level of benefits for the purposes of taking action under paragraph 14(a)(i). The complaining Appendix Party may request that the panel be reconvened to determine the level of benefits up to which it may suspend under paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b), or the level of benefits for the purposes of taking action under paragraph 14(a)(i), at any time after it provides a notice under this subparagraph.
• (b) If the responding Appendix Party considers that the level of benefits proposed to be suspended or that has been suspended under paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b), or the level of benefits for the purposes of taking action under paragraph 14(a)(i), is manifestly excessive, or that it has eliminated the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment that the panel has determined to exist, it may request that the panel be reconvened to consider the matter.
• (c) Regardless of whether the complaining Appendix Party has provided a notice under subparagraph (a), the responding Appendix Party may request that the panel be reconvened to determine the level of benefits under paragraph 13:
  • (i) if the complaining Appendix Party has increased the rate of customs duty under paragraph 11; or
  • (ii) for the purposes of the determination of the length of time by which the complaining Appendix Party may delay implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination under paragraph 14(a)(i).
• (d) An Appendix Party shall deliver any request to reconvene the panel in writing to the other Appendix Party.

13. Unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise, the panel shall reconvene as soon as possible after the date of delivery of the request under paragraph 12 and shall present to the Appendix Parties its determination of the level of benefits that the complaining Appendix Party may suspend no later than 90 days after it reconvenes. The panel shall determine the level of benefits that the complaining Appendix Party may suspend under paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b), or the level of benefits for the purposes of taking action under paragraph 14(a)(i), as the sum of:

• (a) the level of benefits of equivalent effect, as set out in Article 28.20.5 (Non-Implementation – Compensation and Suspension of Benefits); and
• (b)the level of benefits referred to in subparagraph (a) multiplied by the ratio of the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from the responding Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03 into the complaining Appendix Party in the most recent four years to the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from the complaining Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03 into the responding Appendix Party in the most recent four years, to the extent that the sum of this amount and the level of benefits referred to in subparagraph (a) does not exceed the amount that is the sum of 3.75 per cent of the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from Japan classified under heading 87.03 into the United States in the most recent four years and 37.5 per cent of the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from Japan classified under HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 and HTSUS 8704.90.00 into the United States in the most recent four years.

14. Following a determination by the panel under paragraph 13, the complaining Appendix Party may:

• (a)
  • (i) if a final report that contains a determination described in paragraph 10(a) is presented to the Appendix Parties under paragraph 8(d) prior to the date on which customs duties imposed by the complaining Appendix Party on originating motor vehicles from the responding Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03, HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 or HTSUS 8704.90.00 will begin to be reduced in accordance with the complaining Appendix Party’s Schedule to Annex 2-D (Tariff Commitments), taking into account any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination as a result of previous action taken pursuant to paragraph 14(a)(i)^{Footnote 24}, delay implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination^{Footnote 25} of originating motor vehicles from the responding Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03, HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 or HTSUS 8704.90.00, in accordance with the following:^{Footnote 26}
    • (A) the length of time by which the complaining Appendix Party may delay implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination shall be the product of the period of non-conformity or nullification or impairment and the level of benefits determined by the panel under paragraph 13, divided by the amount that is the sum of 3.75 per cent of the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from Japan classified under heading 87.03 into the United States in the most recent four years and 37.5 per cent of the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from Japan classified under HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 and HTSUS 8704.90.00 into the United States in the most recent four years; and
    • (B) for the purposes of paragraph 14(a)(i), the period of non-conformity or nullification or impairment shall be the period beginning on the date on which the final report that contains a determination described in paragraph 10(a) is presented to the Appendix Parties under paragraph 8(d), and ending on the date on which the panel determines that the responding Appendix Party has eliminated the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment or a mutually satisfactory solution is reached, provided that, if the date on which the panel issues its determination under paragraph 13 is more than 90 days after the date on which the panel reconvenes, the number of days by which the issuance of that determination exceeded 90 days shall not be included in the period of non-conformity or nullification or impairment; or
  • (ii) if a final report that contains a determination described in paragraph 10(a) is presented to the Appendix Parties under paragraph 8(d) on or after the date on which customs duties imposed by the complaining Appendix Party on originating motor vehicles from the responding Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03, HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 or HTSUS 8704.90.00 have begun to be reduced in accordance with the complaining Appendix Party’s Schedule to Annex 2-D (Tariff Commitments), taking into account any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination as a result of previous action taken pursuant to subparagraph (a)(i), unless the panel has determined that the responding Appendix Party has eliminated the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment, suspend the application of benefits to the responding Appendix Party with respect to those originating motor vehicles up to the level determined by the panel under paragraph 13, provided that, to the extent that the level of benefits determined by the panel under paragraph 13(a) exceeds the level of benefits that may be suspended with respect to those originating motor vehicles, the complaining Appendix Party may increase the rate of customs duty on originating goods from the responding Appendix Party other than those originating motor vehicles to a level not exceeding the prevailing most-favoured-nation applied rate of customs duty on such goods; or
• (b) if the prevailing most-favoured-nation applied rate of customs duty imposed by the complaining Appendix Party on motor vehicles classified under headings 87.03 and 87.04 is zero per cent, unless the panel has determined that the responding Appendix Party has eliminated the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment, suspend the application to the responding Appendix Party of benefits with respect to originating goods from the responding Appendix Party up to the level determined by the panel under paragraph 13; and
  • (i) if a final report that contains a determination described in paragraph 10(a) is presented to the Appendix Parties under paragraph 8(d) prior to the date on which customs duties imposed by the responding Appendix Party on originating motor vehicles from the complaining Appendix Party classified under heading 87.03, HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 or HTSUS 8704.90.00 will begin to be reduced in accordance with the responding Appendix Party’s Schedule to Annex 2-D (Tariff Commitments), taking into account any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination as a result of previous action taken pursuant to subparagraph (a)(i), for a period of up to 90 days after the date on which the panel issues its determination under paragraph 13, suspend the application to the responding Appendix Party of benefits with respect to originating goods from the responding Appendix Party up to the level that is one-fourth of the annual level of benefits determined by the panel under paragraph 13; or
  • (ii) if a final report that contains a determination described in paragraph 10(a) is presented to the Appendix Parties under paragraph 8(d) on or after the date on which customs duties imposed by the responding Appendix Party on originating motor vehicles from the complaining Appendix Party referred to in subparagraph (b)(i) have begun to be reduced in accordance with the responding Appendix Party’s Schedule to Annex 2-D (Tariff Commitments), taking into account any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination as a result of previous action taken pursuant to subparagraph (a)(i):
    • (A) for a period of up to 90 days after the date on which the panel issues its determination under paragraph 13, suspend the application to the responding Appendix Party of benefits with respect to originating goods from the responding Appendix Party up to one-fourth of the amount that is the sum of 3.75 per cent of the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from Japan classified under heading 87.03 into the United States in the most recent four years and 37.5 per cent of the average of the total value of annual imports of originating motor vehicles from Japan classified under HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 and HTSUS 8704.90.00 into the United States in the most recent four years; and
    • (B) if the date on which the panel issues its determination under paragraph 13 is more than 90 days after the date on which the panel reconvenes, beginning on the date that is 90 days after the panel issues its determination, for the number of days by which the issuance of that determination exceeded 90 days, suspend the application to the responding Appendix Party of benefits with respect to originating goods from the responding Appendix Party up to an amount that shall not exceed one-half of the amount described under subparagraph (b)(ii)(A),
• provided that the increased rate of customs duty applied to any good shall not exceed the prevailing most-favoured-nation applied rate of customs duty on that good.

15. Suspension of benefits under paragraph 11 or paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b) shall be a temporary measure and only be applied until the responding Appendix Party has eliminated the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment, or until a mutually satisfactory solution is reached.

16.

• (a) The complaining Appendix Party shall provide a written notice to the responding Appendix Party of any increase in the rate of customs duty pursuant to paragraph 11 or paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b) no later than the date on which the increase in the rate of customs duty takes effect.
• (b) The complaining Appendix Party shall provide a written notice to the responding Appendix Party of the length of any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination pursuant to paragraph 14(a)(i) no later than the day immediately preceding the date on which the first reduction in the rate of customs duty on originating motor vehicles referred to in that paragraph would have otherwise occurred.

17.

• (a) Without prejudice to the procedures in paragraphs 11 through 14, if the responding Appendix Party considers that it has eliminated the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment found by the panel, it may refer the matter to the panel by providing a written notice to the complaining Appendix Party. The panel shall issue its report on the matter no later than 90 days after the responding Appendix Party provides the written notice.
• (b) If the panel determines that the responding Appendix Party has eliminated the non-conformity or the nullification or impairment, the complaining Appendix Party shall promptly reinstate any benefits suspended under paragraph 11 or paragraph 14(a)(ii) or (b).^{Footnote 27}

18. The procedures set out in this Article shall apply beginning on January 1 of the second year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement with respect to Japan and the United States and ending on the date that is five years after the date on which customs duties imposed by the United States on originating motor vehicles from Japan classified under heading 87.03, HTSUS 8704.21.00, HTSUS 8704.22.50, HTSUS 8704.23.00, HTSUS 8704.31.00, HTSUS 8704.32.00 and HTSUS 8704.90.00 have been eliminated in accordance with the United States Schedule to Annex 2-D (Tariff Commitments), taking into account any delay of implementation of the period of the staged tariff elimination as a result of previous action taken pursuant to paragraph 14(a)(i), provided that the procedures shall apply to any dispute for which the final report of the panel under paragraph 8(d) was presented prior to that date.^{Footnote 28}

19. The Appendix Parties shall review, on request of either Appendix Party, the operation and effectiveness of this Article five years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement with respect to Japan and the United States, and at such interval as the Appendix Parties decide thereafter.

Article 8

1. An Appendix Party may request in writing to initiate a process for consultations with the other Appendix Party with respect to any non-tariff measure that relates to motor vehicles that the other Appendix Party is considering proposing or has proposed, regardless of whether the other Appendix Party has published the non-tariff measure for comment.

2. The process for consultations shall take place no later than 10 days after the date of receipt of a request under paragraph 1, unless the Appendix Parties agree otherwise. The Appendix Party to which such a request is made shall afford the requesting Appendix Party an opportunity to raise issues and to make inquiries, provide the requesting Appendix Party with information to the extent possible, and hear the views of the requesting Appendix Party on the non-tariff measure referred to in paragraph 1.

3. If a request under paragraph 1 concerns a proposed non-tariff measure that is open for comment, the Appendix Party to which the request is made shall refrain from implementing the proposed non-tariff measure during the comment period, except where urgent problems of safety, health, environmental protection or national security arise.

4. If a non-tariff measure as to which a request has been made under paragraph 1 is adopted, and the requesting Appendix Party considers that, as described in Article 28.3.1(b) (Scope), the measure is inconsistent with an obligation of this Agreement, or that the measure nullifies or impairs benefits within the meaning of Article 28.3.1(c) (Scope), the requesting Appendix Party may so notify the other Appendix Party in writing. The notification shall include identification of the measure at issue and an indication of the legal basis for the complaint. The Appendix Party that made the notification may request the establishment of a panel pursuant to Article 7.4 at any time after the date that is 14 days after the date of receipt of the notification,^{Footnote 29} provided that, on request of either Appendix Party, the Appendix Parties shall enter into consultations with respect to the matter no later than 14 days after the date of receipt of the notification.

5. If the Appendix Parties hold consultations under paragraph 4, either Appendix Party may request additional consultations no later than 14 days after the date of receipt of the notification under paragraph 4. If such a request is made, the Appendix Parties shall hold additional consultations promptly thereafter. In that event, the Appendix Party that made the notification may request the establishment of a panel pursuant to Article 7.4 at any time after the date that is 30 days after the date of receipt of the notification.

6. Paragraphs 5 through 8 of Article 28.5 (Consultations) shall apply, mutatis mutandis,^{Footnote 30} to consultations under paragraphs 4 and 5.

Article 9^{Footnote 31}

1. The Appendix Parties hereby establish a special bilateral Committee on Motor Vehicles (Committee), composed of representatives of the relevant authorities of each Appendix Party. The Committee shall:

• (a) monitor implementation of the obligations in this Agreement with respect to motor vehicles;
• (b) consult to resolve issues affecting trade and investment between the Appendix Parties that an Appendix Party raises with respect to the development and implementation of measures relating to motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts;
• (c) exchange information on post-implementation reviews described in Article 2.4;
• (d) facilitate increased cooperation with respect to emerging issues, including the manufacture, importation, sale and operation of motor vehicles using alternative fuels, and cooperation between the Appendix Parties with respect to issues concerning other markets;
• (e) monitor bilateral, regional and global market developments and trends in trade, investment, production, sales and distribution with respect to motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts;
• (f) provide opportunities for input from interested persons of the Appendix Parties on matters relevant to the Committee’s work, as the Appendix Parties may agree; and
• (g) address other issues, if the Appendix Parties agree.

2. The Committee shall meet on request of either Appendix Party and, unless the Appendix Parties decide otherwise, no less than once a year. Meetings shall take place in such locations and through such means as the Appendix Parties decide.