Saturday, October 27, 2007
Monday, July 09, 2007
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
New pillars in India’s economic diplomacy
Trade pacts - new pillars in India’s economic diplomacy:
NEW DELHI, JAN 8: A comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) between India and Malaysia may soon become a reality. The joint study group appointed by the two countries to examine the feasibility of such an agreement has given it the green signal.
The JSG, whose report will be officially finalised and submitted to the respective governments next month, has recommended that the proposed CECA is feasible and mutually beneficial in expanding bilateral economic linkages.
A Ceca is a free trade agreement not only in goods but also incorporates services and investment. India, at the moment, has a Ceca only with Singapore.
According to the JSG report, there is ample potential for bilateral trade expansion in a mutually beneficial manner for which adequate institutional mechanism needs to be put in place.
India-Malaysia trade has been characterised by wide fluctuations in imports and exports over the years and in both cases the imports are limited to a narrow range of products.
In services, the JSG is of the view that trade can be expanded though strengthening cooperation and collaboration activities in medicine, healthcare & diagnostic, advertising, audio-visual, financial, tourism & travel, transport and accounting & taxation services.
The Ceca should aim at instituting intra-modal and intra sectoral cooperation and synergies, extensive use of ICT to effectively leverage existing complementarities in the two economies particularly in manufacturing and construction, harmonisation of standards and mutual recognition of qualifications of professional service providers.
In the area of investment, the JSG proposed Ceca should cover three main areas: investment liberalisation, promotion and facilitation. For liberalisation of investment, the general principle of non-discrimination should apply and the standard of treatment should cover national treatment and most-favoured-nation treatment.
NEW DELHI, JAN 8: A comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) between India and Malaysia may soon become a reality. The joint study group appointed by the two countries to examine the feasibility of such an agreement has given it the green signal.
The JSG, whose report will be officially finalised and submitted to the respective governments next month, has recommended that the proposed CECA is feasible and mutually beneficial in expanding bilateral economic linkages.
A Ceca is a free trade agreement not only in goods but also incorporates services and investment. India, at the moment, has a Ceca only with Singapore.
According to the JSG report, there is ample potential for bilateral trade expansion in a mutually beneficial manner for which adequate institutional mechanism needs to be put in place.
India-Malaysia trade has been characterised by wide fluctuations in imports and exports over the years and in both cases the imports are limited to a narrow range of products.
In services, the JSG is of the view that trade can be expanded though strengthening cooperation and collaboration activities in medicine, healthcare & diagnostic, advertising, audio-visual, financial, tourism & travel, transport and accounting & taxation services.
The Ceca should aim at instituting intra-modal and intra sectoral cooperation and synergies, extensive use of ICT to effectively leverage existing complementarities in the two economies particularly in manufacturing and construction, harmonisation of standards and mutual recognition of qualifications of professional service providers.
In the area of investment, the JSG proposed Ceca should cover three main areas: investment liberalisation, promotion and facilitation. For liberalisation of investment, the general principle of non-discrimination should apply and the standard of treatment should cover national treatment and most-favoured-nation treatment.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
WTO -Bangladesh continues negotiations on apparel?s duty-free access to US mkt"
Financial Express: "LDCs to maintain unity until demands are met
Bangladesh continues negotiations on apparel?s duty-free access to US mkt"
Govinda Shil
12/16/2005
Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury said Thursday he is hopeful about inclusion of the issue of apparel exports in the agenda of duty- and quota-free items to the US market.
Bangladesh, Vietnam and other apparel exporting countries were continuing their negotiations with the USA until the filing of this report at 8.30 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time or BST) on apparel issue to break a deadlock.
The deadlock ensued when the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Rob Portman said Bangladesh and Vietnam should not be getting zero tariff and unlimited access to the US market.
'I am not satisfied, so far, (with the WTO meetings),' said Chowdhury, the head of Bangladesh's delegation to the sixth World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting, in an interview over the telephone with the Financial Express.
The minister said, the USA has, however, agreed to provide duty and quota free entry of some 2,000 items.
Earlier, the least developed countries (LDCs) sat together and decided to maintain close unity among themselves until their demands for market access, handling farm subsidy issue, movement of labour force are met, said a commerce ministry source in Dhaka.
'Our unity is quite strong?and I believe we will hold it up,' declared Chowdhury, saying all the LDCs have been demonstrating a strong fellow feeling for each other.
Chowdhury is expecting Vietnam and Bangladesh would be able to get 'something' through negotiations with the United States that announced significant trade-facilitation aid to the poorest nations.
'I won't be satisfied until export items of all the LDCs are given duty- and quota-free access to the markets of the developed nations,' said Bangladesh's commerce minister.
As the LDCs expressed their dissatisfaction over the market access issue, the USTR Rob Portman called upon ministers not to leave Hong Kong without setting a date for another meeting to settle a framework that would guide them in striking a new trade deal by the end of 2006.
Rob Portman, according to reports by the wire services, said at a press conference that Bangladesh and Vietnam should not be receiving duty- and quota-free facilities as there are some African nations who need such facilities most and that Bangladesh would soon be graduating to 'developing country' status.
Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury defended Bangladesh's stance, saying that apparel was one of the sectors of the country that might have been doing better, but the Bangladesh is still a member of LDC group and deserves better treatment in areas of trade.
Earlier, the Bangladesh minister met Vietnam delegates to adopt a common strategy after US had said 'no' to their apparel export proposal. He also met Iran's trade minister, Director General (DG) of WTO Pascal Lamy, and the delegation of the Maldives Thursday.
Many countries like Brazil, China, France and Australia have endorsed the duty- and quota-free market access of Bangladesh and other LDC members.
The World Bank added its voice to the indignation expressed by the LDCs over their treatment to the WTO meeting in Hong Kong, saying there had been much talk about development but too little action.
BSS adds from Hong Kong: The tricky negotiation at the WTO global trade summit in Hong Kong is entering the most critical stage as the LDCs are putting vigorous efforts to win the zero tariff access of their products to the market of the developed nations.
The Bangladesh garment export issue has come to the fore as some major developed countries appear to be reluctant to allow zero tariff access to readymade garments of Bangladesh in their markets.
In talks with Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury Wednesday, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy frankly acknowledged the hard time Bangladesh is facing in negotiation table. He said he fully understands it and hopes to solve the problem in the end.
Altaf told the news agency the issue is 'a long war' to establish the legitimate trade interests of Bangladesh in the competitive world as an individual nation and as a partner of the LDC group.
Bangladesh continues negotiations on apparel?s duty-free access to US mkt"
Govinda Shil
12/16/2005
Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury said Thursday he is hopeful about inclusion of the issue of apparel exports in the agenda of duty- and quota-free items to the US market.
Bangladesh, Vietnam and other apparel exporting countries were continuing their negotiations with the USA until the filing of this report at 8.30 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time or BST) on apparel issue to break a deadlock.
The deadlock ensued when the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Rob Portman said Bangladesh and Vietnam should not be getting zero tariff and unlimited access to the US market.
'I am not satisfied, so far, (with the WTO meetings),' said Chowdhury, the head of Bangladesh's delegation to the sixth World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting, in an interview over the telephone with the Financial Express.
The minister said, the USA has, however, agreed to provide duty and quota free entry of some 2,000 items.
Earlier, the least developed countries (LDCs) sat together and decided to maintain close unity among themselves until their demands for market access, handling farm subsidy issue, movement of labour force are met, said a commerce ministry source in Dhaka.
'Our unity is quite strong?and I believe we will hold it up,' declared Chowdhury, saying all the LDCs have been demonstrating a strong fellow feeling for each other.
Chowdhury is expecting Vietnam and Bangladesh would be able to get 'something' through negotiations with the United States that announced significant trade-facilitation aid to the poorest nations.
'I won't be satisfied until export items of all the LDCs are given duty- and quota-free access to the markets of the developed nations,' said Bangladesh's commerce minister.
As the LDCs expressed their dissatisfaction over the market access issue, the USTR Rob Portman called upon ministers not to leave Hong Kong without setting a date for another meeting to settle a framework that would guide them in striking a new trade deal by the end of 2006.
Rob Portman, according to reports by the wire services, said at a press conference that Bangladesh and Vietnam should not be receiving duty- and quota-free facilities as there are some African nations who need such facilities most and that Bangladesh would soon be graduating to 'developing country' status.
Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury defended Bangladesh's stance, saying that apparel was one of the sectors of the country that might have been doing better, but the Bangladesh is still a member of LDC group and deserves better treatment in areas of trade.
Earlier, the Bangladesh minister met Vietnam delegates to adopt a common strategy after US had said 'no' to their apparel export proposal. He also met Iran's trade minister, Director General (DG) of WTO Pascal Lamy, and the delegation of the Maldives Thursday.
Many countries like Brazil, China, France and Australia have endorsed the duty- and quota-free market access of Bangladesh and other LDC members.
The World Bank added its voice to the indignation expressed by the LDCs over their treatment to the WTO meeting in Hong Kong, saying there had been much talk about development but too little action.
BSS adds from Hong Kong: The tricky negotiation at the WTO global trade summit in Hong Kong is entering the most critical stage as the LDCs are putting vigorous efforts to win the zero tariff access of their products to the market of the developed nations.
The Bangladesh garment export issue has come to the fore as some major developed countries appear to be reluctant to allow zero tariff access to readymade garments of Bangladesh in their markets.
In talks with Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury Wednesday, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy frankly acknowledged the hard time Bangladesh is facing in negotiation table. He said he fully understands it and hopes to solve the problem in the end.
Altaf told the news agency the issue is 'a long war' to establish the legitimate trade interests of Bangladesh in the competitive world as an individual nation and as a partner of the LDC group.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Pakistan imposes anti-dumping duties on polyester yarn
Pakistan imposes anti-dumping duties on polyester yarn
Pakistan has placed anti-dumping duties of up to 37 per cent on imports of polyester filament yarns. The duties will apply to over 30 companies heralding from four Asian countries: Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.
The NTC decided on 12 November to uphold a complaint received by the Filament Yarn Manufacturers Association (FYMA) that polyester yarn was being "dumped" on the Pakistani market. The FYMA filed the complaint on 30 March and the NTC commenced investigations into 13 of the 38 identified companies exporting the yarn to Pakistan. In an official statement released on 12 November, it confirmed anti-dumping duties will be applicable to most of the companies investigated. The NTC looked into imports during the 12-months of 2004 to assess dumping, and a period of three-and-a-half years running until the end of 2004 to assess injury.
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Pakistan has placed anti-dumping duties of up to 37 per cent on imports of polyester filament yarns. The duties will apply to over 30 companies heralding from four Asian countries: Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.
- Pakistan's National Tariff Commission (NTC) has moved to prevent dumping of polyester fabrics in HS categories 5402 3300 (textured polyester yarn filaments) and 5402 4300 (single, untwisted polyester filament yarn).
- Provisional dumping duties, lasting for four months, range from 4 to 37 per cent on companies based in Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.
- A final decision on anti-dumping duties will be made six months following the statement release.
The NTC decided on 12 November to uphold a complaint received by the Filament Yarn Manufacturers Association (FYMA) that polyester yarn was being "dumped" on the Pakistani market. The FYMA filed the complaint on 30 March and the NTC commenced investigations into 13 of the 38 identified companies exporting the yarn to Pakistan. In an official statement released on 12 November, it confirmed anti-dumping duties will be applicable to most of the companies investigated. The NTC looked into imports during the 12-months of 2004 to assess dumping, and a period of three-and-a-half years running until the end of 2004 to assess injury.
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Saturday, November 12, 2005
International Law Office - Legal Newsletter
Textiles and Clothing after 2005" by Tokia Saïfi. The report crystallizes the concerns of a large number of European parliamentarians that are directly related to the growing share of Chinese-made textile products in the EU market. The report urges for competition between the European Union and the Chinese mainland using balanced weaponry, which, in the words of the report, "so far has certainly not been the case".
Importantly, the report emphasizes labour and environmental standards, and calls on the European Commission on the one hand to negotiate the enforcement of such standards among World Trade Organization (WTO) members, and on the other to prohibit third-country products that do not meet such standards. The report is also critical of the level of piracy and counterfeiting that it alleges is being practised, to the detriment of EU industry. However, the report does admit that "massive reductions in the prices of particular product groups can indeed benefit European consumers", but that this scenario leaves the indigenous clothing industry with the almost impossible task of competing. The harder-hitting elements of">International Law Office - Legal Newsletter: "European Parliament Calls for Fair Trading Standards in Textiles Market
Contributed by Van Bael & Bellis
October 14 2005
On September 6 2005 the European Parliament adopted - by a large majority - a report entitled 'Textiles and Clothing after 2005' by Tokia Saïfi. The report crystallizes the concerns of a large number of European parliamentarians that are directly related to the growing share of Chinese-made textile products in the EU market. The report urges for competition between the European Union and the Chinese mainland using balanced weaponry, which, in the words of the report, 'so far has certainly not been the case'.
Importantly, the report emphasizes labour and environmental standards, and calls on the European Commission on the one hand to negotiate the enforcement of such standards among World Trade Organization (WTO) members, and on the other to prohibit third-country products that do not meet such standards. The report is also critical of the level of piracy and counterfeiting that it alleges is being practised, to the detriment of EU industry. However, the report does admit that 'massive reductions in the prices of particular product groups can indeed benefit European consumers', but that this scenario leaves the indigenous clothing industry with the almost impossible task of competing. The harder-hitting elements of"
Importantly, the report emphasizes labour and environmental standards, and calls on the European Commission on the one hand to negotiate the enforcement of such standards among World Trade Organization (WTO) members, and on the other to prohibit third-country products that do not meet such standards. The report is also critical of the level of piracy and counterfeiting that it alleges is being practised, to the detriment of EU industry. However, the report does admit that "massive reductions in the prices of particular product groups can indeed benefit European consumers", but that this scenario leaves the indigenous clothing industry with the almost impossible task of competing. The harder-hitting elements of">International Law Office - Legal Newsletter: "European Parliament Calls for Fair Trading Standards in Textiles Market
Contributed by Van Bael & Bellis
October 14 2005
On September 6 2005 the European Parliament adopted - by a large majority - a report entitled 'Textiles and Clothing after 2005' by Tokia Saïfi. The report crystallizes the concerns of a large number of European parliamentarians that are directly related to the growing share of Chinese-made textile products in the EU market. The report urges for competition between the European Union and the Chinese mainland using balanced weaponry, which, in the words of the report, 'so far has certainly not been the case'.
Importantly, the report emphasizes labour and environmental standards, and calls on the European Commission on the one hand to negotiate the enforcement of such standards among World Trade Organization (WTO) members, and on the other to prohibit third-country products that do not meet such standards. The report is also critical of the level of piracy and counterfeiting that it alleges is being practised, to the detriment of EU industry. However, the report does admit that 'massive reductions in the prices of particular product groups can indeed benefit European consumers', but that this scenario leaves the indigenous clothing industry with the almost impossible task of competing. The harder-hitting elements of"
Friday, November 11, 2005
SA-- Legislation Introduced to Give Industrial Users Standing in AD/CVD cases
Filed in: "Textiles & WTO"
International Trade Law News: "Legislation Introduced to Give Industrial Users Standing in AD/CVD Cases
Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with 18 co-sponsors, today introduced H.R. 4217, the 'American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act'. If enacted, the measure would permit U.S. industrial users of imported products to be 'interested parties', thus having legal standing in antidumping and countervailing duty cases conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and Department of Commerce (DOC). The bill would require the ITC and DOC to allow full participation by industrial users in AD/CVD cases when making an initial injury determination, when conducting changed circumstances reviews and when conducting five-year sunset reviews.
H.R. 4217 would also require the ITC to conduct an economic impact test to determine the net effect on American manufacturers of AD/CVD decisions. In order for an affirmative injury determination to be made the ITC would have to consider the economic impact on industrial users in addition to those of the petitioning parties.
This legislation is supported by a number of trade associations, including the Auto Trade Policy Council, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association, the Precision Metalforming Association, the CITAC Steel Task Force and several major manufacturing firms."
International Trade Law News: "Legislation Introduced to Give Industrial Users Standing in AD/CVD Cases
Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with 18 co-sponsors, today introduced H.R. 4217, the 'American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act'. If enacted, the measure would permit U.S. industrial users of imported products to be 'interested parties', thus having legal standing in antidumping and countervailing duty cases conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and Department of Commerce (DOC). The bill would require the ITC and DOC to allow full participation by industrial users in AD/CVD cases when making an initial injury determination, when conducting changed circumstances reviews and when conducting five-year sunset reviews.
H.R. 4217 would also require the ITC to conduct an economic impact test to determine the net effect on American manufacturers of AD/CVD decisions. In order for an affirmative injury determination to be made the ITC would have to consider the economic impact on industrial users in addition to those of the petitioning parties.
This legislation is supported by a number of trade associations, including the Auto Trade Policy Council, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association, the Precision Metalforming Association, the CITAC Steel Task Force and several major manufacturing firms."
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
USA-- Legislation Introduced to Give Industrial Users Standing in AD/CVD cases
International Trade Law News: "Legislation Introduced to Give Industrial Users Standing in AD/CVD Cases
Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with 18 co-sponsors, today introduced H.R. 4217, the 'American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act'. If enacted, the measure would permit U.S. industrial users of imported products to be 'interested parties', thus having legal standing in antidumping and countervailing duty cases conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and Department of Commerce (DOC). The bill would require the ITC and DOC to allow full participation by industrial users in AD/CVD cases when making an initial injury determination, when conducting changed circumstances reviews and when conducting five-year sunset reviews.
H.R. 4217 would also require the ITC to conduct an economic impact test to determine the net effect on American manufacturers of AD/CVD decisions. In order for an affirmative injury determination to be made the ITC would have to consider the economic impact on industrial users in addition to those of the petitioning parties.
This legislation is supported by a number of trade associations, including the Auto Trade Policy Council, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association, the Precision Metalforming Association, the CITAC Steel Task Force and several major manufacturing firms."
Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with 18 co-sponsors, today introduced H.R. 4217, the 'American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act'. If enacted, the measure would permit U.S. industrial users of imported products to be 'interested parties', thus having legal standing in antidumping and countervailing duty cases conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and Department of Commerce (DOC). The bill would require the ITC and DOC to allow full participation by industrial users in AD/CVD cases when making an initial injury determination, when conducting changed circumstances reviews and when conducting five-year sunset reviews.
H.R. 4217 would also require the ITC to conduct an economic impact test to determine the net effect on American manufacturers of AD/CVD decisions. In order for an affirmative injury determination to be made the ITC would have to consider the economic impact on industrial users in addition to those of the petitioning parties.
This legislation is supported by a number of trade associations, including the Auto Trade Policy Council, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association, the Precision Metalforming Association, the CITAC Steel Task Force and several major manufacturing firms."
US, China expected to sign textile deal Tuesday
US, China expected to sign textile deal Tuesday
Mon Nov 7, 2005 7:30 PM ET
By Doug Palmer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and China are expected to sign a three-year agreement on Tuesday reining in China's booming clothing and textile shipments to the United States, a congressional aide said on Monday.
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai are both in London for meetings related to world trade talks. They are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday morning and sign the pact, said Carolyn Hern, a spokeswoman for Rep. Robin Hayes, a North Carolina Republican who has been a leading congressional advocate for such a pact.
"They are expected to sign it about 2 or 3 a.m. (EST) our time," Hern said.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office would only confirm that Portman and Bo will hold a joint news conference on Tuesday morning in London.
A textile agreement would smooth over a rough spot in the U.S.-China trade relationship before President George W. Bush visits Beijing the middle of this month.
China's exports of clothing and textile products to the United States jumped more than 50 percent in the first eight months of the 2005 to nearly $17.7 billion following the end of a global quota system on January 1.
That prompted U.S. textile producers to seek protection under a "safeguard" provision of China's 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization. The measure allows WTO members to restrict the growth in imports from China to 7.5 percent annually when there is a market-disrupting surge.
SEEKING COMPREHENSIVE PACT
The Bush administration has imposed safeguard curbs on billions of dollar of Chinese clothing imports this year. But because the curbs have to be renewed annually, textile groups have pushed for a comprehensive agreement that would limit imports through 2008, when the safeguard provision expires.
Cass Johnson, president of the National Council of Textile Organizations, said on Sunday the new textile agreement was expected to restrict 34 categories of clothing and textile imports from China through 2008.
China is expected to "receive only a minimal increase -- 3.8 percent ... -- in market access in the 14 largest and most sensitive textile apparel categories as compared to the use of the safeguard," Johnson said.
The quotas for those 14 categories -- which include trousers, shirts, knits, underwear and bras -- are expected to grow 5.5 percent in 2006, 7.8 percent in 2007 and 10.3 percent in 2008, compared to 7.5 percent annually under the safeguard.
Growth rates in the other 20 categories are expected to average about 10 percent to 12 percent in 2006, 12 percent to 15 percent in 2007 and 16 percent in 2008, an industry official said.
Hayes and U.S. textile industry groups have scheduled an afternoon news conference on Tuesday to discuss the pact.
"He's very excited about the announcement," Hern said. "Robin was pushing for this agreement for the benefit of the industry. If they're happy, he is."
Hayes helped the Bush administration several months ago win approval of a free trade agreement with Central America opposed by vocal portions of the textile industry by agreeing in the very last minutes of a House vote to support the pact.
He explained afterward that he voted for the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement after receiving assurances that the Bush administration would take action to deal with mounting textile and clothing imports from China.
Mon Nov 7, 2005 7:30 PM ET
By Doug Palmer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and China are expected to sign a three-year agreement on Tuesday reining in China's booming clothing and textile shipments to the United States, a congressional aide said on Monday.
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai are both in London for meetings related to world trade talks. They are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Tuesday morning and sign the pact, said Carolyn Hern, a spokeswoman for Rep. Robin Hayes, a North Carolina Republican who has been a leading congressional advocate for such a pact.
"They are expected to sign it about 2 or 3 a.m. (EST) our time," Hern said.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office would only confirm that Portman and Bo will hold a joint news conference on Tuesday morning in London.
A textile agreement would smooth over a rough spot in the U.S.-China trade relationship before President George W. Bush visits Beijing the middle of this month.
China's exports of clothing and textile products to the United States jumped more than 50 percent in the first eight months of the 2005 to nearly $17.7 billion following the end of a global quota system on January 1.
That prompted U.S. textile producers to seek protection under a "safeguard" provision of China's 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization. The measure allows WTO members to restrict the growth in imports from China to 7.5 percent annually when there is a market-disrupting surge.
SEEKING COMPREHENSIVE PACT
The Bush administration has imposed safeguard curbs on billions of dollar of Chinese clothing imports this year. But because the curbs have to be renewed annually, textile groups have pushed for a comprehensive agreement that would limit imports through 2008, when the safeguard provision expires.
Cass Johnson, president of the National Council of Textile Organizations, said on Sunday the new textile agreement was expected to restrict 34 categories of clothing and textile imports from China through 2008.
China is expected to "receive only a minimal increase -- 3.8 percent ... -- in market access in the 14 largest and most sensitive textile apparel categories as compared to the use of the safeguard," Johnson said.
The quotas for those 14 categories -- which include trousers, shirts, knits, underwear and bras -- are expected to grow 5.5 percent in 2006, 7.8 percent in 2007 and 10.3 percent in 2008, compared to 7.5 percent annually under the safeguard.
Growth rates in the other 20 categories are expected to average about 10 percent to 12 percent in 2006, 12 percent to 15 percent in 2007 and 16 percent in 2008, an industry official said.
Hayes and U.S. textile industry groups have scheduled an afternoon news conference on Tuesday to discuss the pact.
"He's very excited about the announcement," Hern said. "Robin was pushing for this agreement for the benefit of the industry. If they're happy, he is."
Hayes helped the Bush administration several months ago win approval of a free trade agreement with Central America opposed by vocal portions of the textile industry by agreeing in the very last minutes of a House vote to support the pact.
He explained afterward that he voted for the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement after receiving assurances that the Bush administration would take action to deal with mounting textile and clothing imports from China.
Bangkok Agreement: Six Asian Nations to Extend Tariff Cuts
six South and Southeastern Asian Nations to Extend Tariff Cuts
China, India, South Korea, Bangladesh, Srilanka and Laos have agreed to extend and deepen tariff cuts starting next July, as party of an expanded free trade agreement.
Trade ministers from these nations,agreed that to reduce tariffs by an average of 30 percent, from 22 percent previously, and more than double the product range, extending the agreement to 4,800 products, from 1,800.
The ministers, who met in Beijing, agreed to implement an accord reached in last April that expands the regional free trade pact, the so-called 'Bangkok Agreement'. The accord will be renamed the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area.
The Bangkok Agreement was signed in 1975 as an initiative of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It is a preferential tariff arrangement that aims at promoting intra-regional trade through exchange of mutually agreed concessions by member countries.
With a total population of more than 2.6 billion, the six countries' GDP last year totaled 3 trillion US dollars, boosting future potentials for closer economic integratio"
China, India, South Korea, Bangladesh, Srilanka and Laos have agreed to extend and deepen tariff cuts starting next July, as party of an expanded free trade agreement.
Trade ministers from these nations,agreed that to reduce tariffs by an average of 30 percent, from 22 percent previously, and more than double the product range, extending the agreement to 4,800 products, from 1,800.
The ministers, who met in Beijing, agreed to implement an accord reached in last April that expands the regional free trade pact, the so-called 'Bangkok Agreement'. The accord will be renamed the Asia Pacific Free Trade Area.
The Bangkok Agreement was signed in 1975 as an initiative of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It is a preferential tariff arrangement that aims at promoting intra-regional trade through exchange of mutually agreed concessions by member countries.
With a total population of more than 2.6 billion, the six countries' GDP last year totaled 3 trillion US dollars, boosting future potentials for closer economic integratio"
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