COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS ANNOUNCES CHINA SAFEGUARD DECISIONS

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) today announced affirmative decisions in two textile safeguard cases.

CITA determined that the U.S. market for other synthetic filament fabric (category 620) and brassieres and other body-supporting garments (category 349/649) is being disrupted and that there is a threat of further disruption. CITA further determined that the imports in these categories from China play a significant role in the existence and threat of market disruption, and that this situation threatens to impede the orderly development of trade in these products. As a result of these determinations, CITA has requested consultations with the Government of China on these products and has put in place quotas that will limit the growth in imports of the covered products.

"Today's announcement demonstrates this Administration's commitment to leveling the playing field for U.S. industries by enforcing our trade agreements," said Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary Jim Leonard. "We will continue to consult with the Chinese government to find a solution that will permit the orderly development of textile and apparel trade."

CITA also announced today that it is extending until October 1, 2005 , the period for making a determination on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of cotton and man-made fiber sweaters (category 345/645/646), cotton and man-made fiber dressing gowns and robes (category 350/650), men?s and boys? wool trousers (category 447), and knit fabric (category 222). CITA will continue to evaluate the market conditions for these four categories.

CITA's decision to invoke safeguards on imports of these Chinese origin textile and apparel products that are contributing to the disruption of the U.S. market is in accordance with the textile safeguard provision in China's Accession Agreement to the World Trade Organization.

For more information, please visit: http://otexa.ita.doc.gov.

CITA Decision Fact Sheet