The United States government announced Tuesday that it had decided to impose quotas on three types of textile products from China.

A tailor is surrounded by fabric at an outdoor market in Beijing November 5, 2003. [Reuters]

The decision will affect Chinese imports of knit fabric, dressing gowns and robes and bras.

In announcing the action, US Commerce Secretary Don Evans said that it "demonstrates the Bush administration's commitment to our trade rules and America's workers."

"I believe this will advance our future dealings with China, for no market operates fairly without open dialogue," Evans asserted in a statement.

The US textile industry had petitioned the US government in July for protection through the imposition of quotas, complaining it was being harmed by a flood of textile products from China.

However, consumer groups in the United States said that the government action sets a bad precedent for the future and will encourage the US industry to petition for the re-imposition of other quotas that are scheduled to be totally removed on Jan. 1, 2005.

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