In 1994, the WTO members committed themselves to reintroducing the textile and clothing sector under normal WTO rules after a ten-year transitional period, which lapsed in 2004. China’s accession to the WTO, in 2001, allowed the WTO members to benefit from a possible additional period during which restrictions could be placed on Chinese exports even after 2004. I preferred to negotiate quantitative restrictions with the Chinese on their exports of a limited number of sensitive textile and clothing categories over a two and a half-year period, rather than entering into a trade war by applying unilateral safeguard measures. The US followed us suit. This gives the EU industry further breathing space and creates conditions whereby business and workers can restructure and thus adapt smoothly to economic change.