For the third time in the past two weeks, the US government announced that it was delaying decisions due on safeguard cases filed against surging textile and apparel imports from China until August 31.
The US government delayed decisions on cases covering wool trousers, sweaters, brassieres, dressing gowns, knit fabric and other synthetic filament fabric. The decisions on synthetic filament fabric and wool previously were delayed from July 18 and July 22, respectively, to July 31.
In other action, the US government accepted for review five additional safeguard cases covering socks, woven blouses, skirts, nightwear and swimwear.
"They are pleased that the US government has accepted additional cases for review. However, the only good excuse for delaying decisions on the products where decisions were due is if the US government is able to negotiate a fair comprehensive textile and apparel agreement with China in short order. We look forward to consulting with the US government on the critical issue of reaching an agreement with the Chinese," said AMTAC Executive Director Auggie Tantillo.
"A fair comprehensive agreement would cover all categories where safeguard petitions have been filed or approved. It should also include any categories where safeguards have not been filed that are disrupted or that are facing imminent disruption, continued Tantillo.”
"A fair deal would limit the growth of Chinese imports to very close to 7.5 percent and should last through the end of 2008. Finally, any fair deal also would include no promises not to extend the safeguard during current the Doha Round of WTO negotiations and fair and tough penalties on Chinese quota limits if companies are caught illegally transshipping," concluded Tantillo.
In 2005, the volume of US imports of textile and apparel products from China have surged 47 percent. China now controls more than 30 percent of the U.S. import market for textiles and apparel.
Since January 2001, US textile and apparel manufacturing employment has fallen from 1,047,200 to 657,400 - a loss of 389,800 jobs (37.2 percent of total employment in the industry).
American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition
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