US says could seek China textile deal (Reuters) Updated: 2005-08-02 07:26
The Bush administration said on Monday it was delaying a decision on whether
to restrict additional imports of clothing from China so it could consult with
industry and lawmakers about whether to seek a comprehensive textile trade pact
with Beijing, Reuters reported.
"Today's decision will allow us time to engage in substantive discussions
with our domestic textile and apparel industries and members of Congress on
whether there is interest in a broader textile agreement with China," U.S.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said in a statement.
The United States has restricted imports of billions of dollars worth of
clothing from China this year using an anti-surge "safeguard" mechanism Beijing
accepted when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
The U.S. textile industry has repeatedly called on the Bush administration to
negotiate a comprehensive agreement with China governing textile trade through
the end of 2008. The United States has raised that idea with China, but never
formally proposed it, administration officials said.
The decision to consult with U.S. stakeholders on whether to formally seek a
deal with China follows a vote last week in the U.S. House of Representatives on
the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), where some textile state
lawmakers helped provide the margin of victory.
The Bush administration said it was delaying until Aug. 31 a decision on
safeguard requests in six categories: men's and boys' wool trousers, cotton and
synthetic dressing gowns and robes, cotton and synthetic bras, cotton and
synthetic sweaters, knit fabric and certain synthetic filament fabric.
It also announced it had agreed to consider industry petitions asking for
safeguard curbs in five other areas: cotton, wool and synthetic socks, women's
and girls' cotton and synthetic woven shirts, cotton and synthetic skirts,
cotton and synthetic nightwear and cotton and synthetic swimwear.
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