ATMI REQUESTS LIMIT ON CHINA EXPORTS OF TEXTILES, APPAREL

ATMI REQUESTS LIMIT ON CHINA EXPORTS OF TEXTILES, APPAREL    The American Textile Manufacturers Institute has filed a petition with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and with the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, asking that the United States impose quotas on certain textiles and apparel from China.
   Specifically, ATMI wants quotas on knit fabric (category 222), brassieres (categories 349/649), nightwear (categories 350/650), and textile luggage (category 670).
   ATMI also stated in its petition that it would like CITA to consider an additional quota on Chinese textured filament yarn, if imports of that yarn continue to increase.
   Under terms of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization, WTO members may impose specific safeguard measures, or quotas, on Chinese textile and apparel products if the importing country determines that such shipments from China cause or threaten to cause market disruption.
   ATMI argues that in the first half of 2002, Chinese exports of knit fabrics to the U.S. increased 22,214 percent; brassieres are up 167 percent; gloves by 173 percent, nightwear by 455 percent, and textile luggage by 416 percent.
   CITA will now determine “through an internal process,” a legal source told AS+, whether or not it will consider the petition.
   If CITA decides to impose the quotas, it will have 60 days to consult with China. If the U.S. requests consultations, China must automatically, under the WTO terms, limit its shipments to a level no greater than 7.5 percent above the amount entered during the first 12 months of the most recent 14 months preceding the month in which the request for consultations was made.