The European Commission announced that four EU member states had been urging for relaxation in the restrictions on Chinese textile exports.
Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark asked EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to consider easing quota limits after shipments of some Chinese textiles to the 25-nation bloc exceeded the previously set limits.
"We are in contact with member states, with retailers and with Chinese authorities on the issue," Commission spokeswoman Antonia Mochan told a daily press conference.
The European Commission is "working in good faith" on the problem, she added.
"We have been authorized by the member states to seek flexibility," such as shifting part of 2006 quotas into 2005, said Mochan.
However, the spokeswoman declined to comment on what proposals may be made.
According to the Commission, Chinese exports of pullovers and trousers to the EU have already exceeded annual limits set in June and further shipments will be blocked at ports until the two sides find a solution.
The EU, fearing an increase of Chinese textiles following the end of global quotas on textiles on January 1, struck an agreement with China in June to limit annual gains in imports of 10 categories of clothing and textiles through 2007.
The Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
