Interviews
Tronconi voices concern at Doha Development Talks & China 2008
01 Jun '07
3 min read
Speaking at the open session of the EURATEX General Assembly to an audience of representatives of the EU Commission, European Parliament, the Press and EURATEX members, Mr. Michele Tronconi, President of EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Organisation, expressed concern that current WTO negotiations in Geneva might not meet the high expectations and export ambitions of the EU textile and apparel industry. The General Assembly took place on Friday June 1st in Brussels.
In singling out the Doha Development Agenda for specific comment, the EURATEX President stated: “In tariff terms we appear as Europe to be moving without thinking towards substantial tariff reductions of our own, without any real expectation of improved market access where potential overseas markets are concerned. This is because of the different coefficients envisaged within the NAMA (non-agricultural market access) negotiations, linked to the flexibilities available there to developing countries.”
Mr. Tronconi noted that he had made these points very clearly in discussions with Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Commission Vice-President Günther Verheugen in March and April of this year and had stated that “under the above circumstances we prefer no deal at all to a bad deal”.
Since the launch of the Doha Development Agenda EURATEX has consistently sought access for European textile and apparel exporters to closed third markets through tariff reductions in the sector to levels below 15% and through the elimination of non-tariff barriers.
In singling out the Doha Development Agenda for specific comment, the EURATEX President stated: “In tariff terms we appear as Europe to be moving without thinking towards substantial tariff reductions of our own, without any real expectation of improved market access where potential overseas markets are concerned. This is because of the different coefficients envisaged within the NAMA (non-agricultural market access) negotiations, linked to the flexibilities available there to developing countries.”
Mr. Tronconi noted that he had made these points very clearly in discussions with Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Commission Vice-President Günther Verheugen in March and April of this year and had stated that “under the above circumstances we prefer no deal at all to a bad deal”.
Since the launch of the Doha Development Agenda EURATEX has consistently sought access for European textile and apparel exporters to closed third markets through tariff reductions in the sector to levels below 15% and through the elimination of non-tariff barriers.
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