EC Mandelson to propose unblocking Chinese textiles

BRUSSELS – European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said on yesterday he would make proposals to EU member states on Monday to release millions of euros’ worth of Chinese-made garments stuck in European ports.

“The Commission is making proposals to our member states tomorrow morning to begin proceedings to unblock all the goods currently held at customs,” Mandelson said in a BBC television interview. He gave no details of the proposals.The 25-nation bloc has been split on how to deal with the problem, with Mandelson torn in recent weeks between protecting local textile industries from Chinese competition and ensuring that shops are not left with empty shelves by Christmas.Member states are also divided, with the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Finland warning of job losses among retailers unless the EU eases import curbs on Chinese clothing.Opposing pressure has come from countries with big textile industries such as France, Italy and Spain.Mandelson urged all member states to back him.”I hope member states will co-operate with me …and they won’t prevent the speedy passage of those procedures.If they co-operate I believe we will be able to unblock all the goods currently held at customs by the middle of next month,” Mandelson said.China and the European Union were in the fourth day of talks yesterday on revising a two-month-old textile trade pact.The June deal, which capped growth in 10 lines of Chinese textile exports at 8-12 percent a year, was hailed at the time as a sensible response to a deluge of low-cost clothes from China following the scrapping of global textile quotas on January 1.Mandelson said yesterday many retailers, particularly smaller ones, had not received the Chinese garments, due to what he described as a glitch in implementing the June agreement.”It is not the fault of importers, it is not the fault of retailers.I don’t believe they have been unfairly penalised as a result of the agreement I have made,” Mandelson said.-Nampa-ReutersHe gave no details of the proposals.The 25-nation bloc has been split on how to deal with the problem, with Mandelson torn in recent weeks between protecting local textile industries from Chinese competition and ensuring that shops are not left with empty shelves by Christmas.Member states are also divided, with the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Finland warning of job losses among retailers unless the EU eases import curbs on Chinese clothing.Opposing pressure has come from countries with big textile industries such as France, Italy and Spain.Mandelson urged all member states to back him.”I hope member states will co-operate with me …and they won’t prevent the speedy passage of those procedures.If they co-operate I believe we will be able to unblock all the goods currently held at customs by the middle of next month,” Mandelson said.China and the European Union were in the fourth day of talks yesterday on revising a two-month-old textile trade pact.The June deal, which capped growth in 10 lines of Chinese textile exports at 8-12 percent a year, was hailed at the time as a sensible response to a deluge of low-cost clothes from China following the scrapping of global textile quotas on January 1.Mandelson said yesterday many retailers, particularly smaller ones, had not received the Chinese garments, due to what he described as a glitch in implementing the June agreement.”It is not the fault of importers, it is not the fault of retailers.I don’t believe they have been unfairly penalised as a result of the agreement I have made,” Mandelson said.-Nampa-Reuters