EU to pursue policy of US administration on imposing quota

17 May '05

2 min read

Euratex, which embodies clothing producers likeMarzotto SpA, Chargeurs SA, and governments including France and Italy have urging for the action to save job-loss in the nearly 25 nations in the Union since March. Chinese textile apparel exports to EU markets increased to 187 % since ending of global textile quota in January of this year.

Alarmed the US decisions to save domestic industry, Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner provided China a last possibility to bound exports of T- shirts and flax yarn to the union before the EU opts policy likewise US administration.

At Brussels conference, Mandelson stated ",In view of the seriousness of market disruption in these categories, formal consultations need to begin immediately."

"At the end of these consultations, we will be entitled to place reasonable and temporary limits on these categories unless Chinese action makes this unnecessary," he added.

The EU is following the footprints of US decision taken last week, to impose safeguard measures on three categories of clothing including cotton shirts and trousers. The EU and U.S. impoert accounts for round about half of worldwide textile industry.

Mandelson informed that the restrictions would be temporary and remain in place only until the end of the year, which may be effective from the end of next week.

"We have to see this in perspective," he added. "We're talking about a limited, but no less important, breathing spacefor those parts of EU industry most adversely affected during the remainder of this year."

More EURATEX News... More Textiles News - Belgium...