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Belgium:EU may put import barriers on Chinese textiles |
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2005-3-12
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If the EU finds growth of imported Chinese textile “without moderation” then it said that safeguards would not be far away to be put in place to block imports.
"We are monitoring the situation", said the Commission''''''''s chief Spokesperson Françoise Le Bail in a press conference today (10 March). "As soon as we have enough data it will be decided if there is a need for further action", she said.
Notably, textile imports from China have grown on average 20 percent per year since 1983, and with ending of the ATC and MFA since January 1, 2005, dramatic upsurge in their exports like in the US markets will be visible in the EU too.
Currently, China, a WTO member since 2001, is already carrying out a joint monitoring exercise with the EU on its textile exports.
The issues found voice and attention when EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson travelled to China for a four day visit in February, during his discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai.
"The Chinese recognized our concerns", said Mrs Le Bail.
China is already the world''''''''s biggest textile producer and production costs are much lower than western companies. The EU is China''''''''s largest trading partner, and China is the EU''''''''s second.
"If there is a perception of a lack of equilibrium in China''''''''s trading practice, a negative reaction will be inevitable", warned Mr Mandelson, in a speech during his visit.
"We can all benefit from textiles liberalisation, but some moderation and caution in the rate of growth of Chinese exports will help to ensure harmonious adjustment to the new global trading environment", he added.
The 1.3 billion people country is considered to be a market with great potential for EU business.
"I see no greater strategic challenge for Europe than to understand the dramatic rise of China and to forge ties with it", Mr Mandelson said.
A mini-ministerial meeting is slated to be held between China and the EU before the Hong Kong WTO ministerial meeting in December, considered to be "an important staging post" by the Commission. |
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