US proposal for more textile curbs protested
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-08-03 16:22

China protested a US proposal to impose restrictions on the imports of five additional categories of Chinese textiles, complaining that it went against free trade principles, AFP reported.

A woman buys garments at a market in Shanghai. China protested a US proposal to impose restrictions on the imports of five additional categories of Chinese textiles, complaining that it went against free trade principles. [AFP]

The US Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements said Monday it was considering an industry demand to limit imports of a range of Chinese products.

They include cotton, wool and man-made fibre socks, women's cotton and man-made fibre woven shirts as well as cotton and man-made fibre skirts, nightwear and man-made fibre swimwear.

These are in addition to curbs already placed on seven categories following the end of a global textile quota system in January, which are expected to affect imports worth up to 2.5 billion dollars.

"The move encourages the American textile industry to abuse trade restraining measures against Chinese textiles and is against the free trade concepts of the World Trade Organization (WTO)," commerce ministry spokesman Chong Quan said in a statement.

"We hope that the US side will treat such applications prudently and China reserves the right under the WTO framework to take further measures."

At the same time, Chong welcomed US moves to delay a decision on industry requests for limits on six Chinese textile types already under review. These categories are filament fabric, trousers, dressing gowns, bras, knit fabric and sweaters.

The US textile industry has been clamouring for action to combat a surge in Chinese imports following the scrapping of global quotas that regulated the garment trade.

The two countries have had several rounds of talks on textile trade disputes but have failed to reach a comprehensive agreement.

Last year, according to US Commerce Department figures, China recorded a record trade surplus with the United States of over 160 billion dollars.

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