EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson urged EU
member states on Tuesday to release Chinese textiles stockpiled at
European ports.
"The consequences of not doing so will be severe
economic pain for many smaller retailers and medium-sized
businesses," Mandelson told the European Parliament's trade
committee.
"I am not confident the Shanghai Textile Agreement
will be sustainable unless we release the goods currently held at
the border," he said, referring to the temporary quota system he
helped negotiate with the Chinese government in June to last until
2008 to deal with the results of removing the previous one on
January 1.
The quotas were quickly filled by goods still in
transit when they came into effect.
"It could mean some shortages during the autumn,
but even more likely, higher consumer prices for many of our
citizens who cannot afford to pay more for clothes," said
Mandelson.
Trying to ease the worries of European importers
and retailers, Mandelson made a formal proposal on Monday to allow
the import of Chinese textiles held up at ports.
"I appeal to member states to take the long-term
view. The price of rejecting my proposal is harm to the consumer.
The gain is keeping the agreement alive and the overall
restrictions in place over the next three years," he added.
It is reported that more than 80 million items of
Chinese garments, including T-shirts, sweaters, trousers and
brassieres, have been blocked from entering the EU market after
arriving at ports.
(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2005)