Posted on 02/23/2005 7:26:59 PM PST by maui_hawaii
Peter Mandelson, the European Union trade commissioner, on Wednesday demanded greater curbs on Chinese exports of textiles and clothing following the removal of trade-restricting quotas earlier this year.
Speaking before his first visit to China since taking office, Mr Mandelson said: “China must trade freely and fairly. If there is a perception that China is reaping the benefits of free trade without meeting the standards of fair trade, there will be a negative response in Europe and elsewhere.”
He said the growth of Chinese textiles exports was a particular worry: “I want to discuss with the Chinese government curbs that they could make to moderate export growth. In December they announced measures [to limit that growth]. It is too early to say definitely what those policies have achieved, but the signs so far are that they are too modest.”
Mr Mandelson also raised the possibility of using the “special safeguard mechanism” to put a brake on Chinese textiles imports into Europe, which have risen sharply as quotas have been phased out over recent years.
Negotiated during China's accession process to the World Trade Organisation, this mechanism allows countries unilaterally to restrict textile imports from China. It has never been used by the EU, and any move to apply the mechanism would be viewed with hostility by Beijing.
“It is quite possible that Europe will use special safeguards it is quite possible, but not certain,” Mr Mandelson said.
Coupled with forceful language on China's lack of protection for intellectual property rights and the need for a bigger Chinese contribution to WTO trade talks, Mr Mandelson's remarks suggest he intends to take a tough line in Beijing.
Brussels has in the past been careful to distance itself from the more aggressive stance adopted by some US lawmakers and trade officials, who have been more openly critical of China's trade policies.
But in a sign that the Commission is moving towards a more confrontational position, Mr Mandelson insisted on Wednesday that China would not be granted any reprieve in opening up its markets and abiding by international trade rules.
He said: “There is a view in China that it has already paid heavily to enter the WTO. But WTO membership is not the end of the reform path but just the end of the beginning. China has to work harder to ensure that its own markets are open to international competitionon fair and transparentterms.”
The commissioner cited intellectual property rights as another area of concern.
They're going to punish china by lifting an arms embargo...hey wait a minute.
I'll repeat that tariffs don't work, but we will just have to agree to disagree.
Many other countries maintain artifical currency pegs.
I used to be quite annoyed at the Chicom currency peg, but I've come to like it.
There are advantages to us.
Which is why they are looking to build light truck facilities right here.
they have plenty of plants in Thailand where they pay much lower labor costs then the US, lift protection for the US light truck industry - and they will come flooding in here.
so with that logic, you would be in favor of them revaluing to an even lower level. right now US engineers are losing their jobs to chinese ones that cost US companies $25K - so I guess if it cost US companies only $15K, that would be better. we can all work at walmart I guess.
There are many Wal-Mart stores in Germany.
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