Chinese industry decries US ending duty-free deal for low-value packs

Terming it a ‘self-defeating action’, the industry group said the move not only undermines the stability of global industrial and supply chains for light industrial consumer goods (which includes textiles), but ultimately harms the interests of all parties, including the United States.

The industry group urged the US administration to respect market rules, acknowledge the needs of the people and stop its ‘wrong’ practices.

It also called on the international community to jointly resist trade bullying and firmly safeguard an equal and mutually beneficial international trading system.

The China National Textile and Apparel Council also expressed strong opposition to the US ‘hegemonic actions’ that disrupt the international supply chain order and increase trade costs through domestic administrative measures.

The duty-free treatment for low-value packages is an internationally recognised practice for trade facilitation. "The US side disregards practical realities, violates the WTO's [World Trade Organization’s] non-discrimination principle, and contradicts the spirit of fair trade," a state-controlled media outlet quoted a statement by the China National Textile and Apparel Council as saying.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)