EURATEX confirms European Mfrs view that June 10th EU-CHINA textile/clothing deal be respected

31 Aug '05

3 min read

“For this reason, even though the volumes negotiated by Commissioner Mandelson with his Chinese counterparts appeared to the industry to be higher than it would have wished, EURATEX had felt appropriate to accept the compromise reached and not sought to jeopardise the agreement itself.

Indeed, in the light of present circumstances, and in justifiable defence of the interests of the 170.000 textile and clothing manufacturers across the EU and their 2.5 million employees, who stand ready to continue to provide quality products at competitive prices to distributors and retailers in Europe, we strongly support Mr. Mandelson's comments on August 29th that the primary shared interest and determination is to preserve the original overall agreement,” he added.

Commenting on the volumes of goods blocked at EU borders, Mr. Libeert noted that there had been an unprecedented acceleration in licences granted or pending over the period since June 11th. He indicated that the European industry would be prepared to carefully examine any workable proposals which might be made to alleviate the situation of those who had placed orders for such goods in good faith but he stressed that any solution must remain within the framework of the original overall agreement reached with the Chinese authorities on June 10th and must not further damage the interests of EU manufacturers of textiles and clothing.

Mr. Libeert drew attention in concluding to the fact that the EUindustry remained strongly committed to free but fair trade, and that it continued to seek proper market access to closed third markets for the 20% plus of its turnover already exported abroad.

European Apparel & Textile Organization

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