US cites progress toward China textile pact
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-03 11:26

The US Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreement (CITA) said Wednesday it was extending a review of industry requests for quotas on four categories of Chinese garments -- blouses, skirts, pyjamas and swimwear.

The review on the four categories has been extended a week to November 8, said CITA, which also announced a fresh review to see whether shipments of Chinese towels should be subject to quotas.

Spooner said the two countries also signed an agreement on Tuesday that would extend a quota on sock imports through the end of 2005 by allowing China to ship an additional 10 million dozen pairs.

The Bush administration also announced it accepted an industry petition that could lead to curbs on cotton terry towels from China.

U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman (news, bio, voting record) told reporters on Tuesday the two countries were "inching closer" to an agreement, but were still working through key details, such as the number of products covered and annual growth rates for new quotas that would be imposed.

U.S. textile producers said the dearth of details about this week's talks could be a positive sign.

"Things have obviously been very, very quiet this week and maybe that means they're making progress," said Lloyd Wood, a spokesman for the American Manufacturers Trade Coalition.

The indication talks will resume soon "gives some optimism that both sides are reaching a deal that would address the concerns of the textile industry," Wood said.