USA und China steuern auf Textilhandelskrieg zu

Die Bush-Regierung will lieber doch nicht alle billigen China-Klamotten auf dem US-Markt haben, berichtet die LA Times: Facing a crush of Chinese textiles and apparel since global quotas were lifted Jan. 1, the Bush administration Monday took the first step toward reimposing limits on purchases of certain clothing from that Asian nation. The move, which is expected to escalate trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, came after intense pressure on the White House from politically powerful American textile interests that have lost 17 mills and more than 7,000 jobs this year. The Commerce Department's Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements said Monday that it was launching an investigation to determine whether imports of Chinese-made cotton shirts, cotton trousers and cotton and man-made fiber underwear were disrupting the U.S. market. If the investigation finds such disruption, as expected, it could lead to the imposition of new import limits within the next two to three months. The Bush administration already has imposed limits on Chinese-made dressing gowns, brassieres, knit fabric and socks. Critics, however, say the White House hasn't done enough to crack down on allegedly unfair Chinese trade practices. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said in announcing the investigation that "this administration is committed to enforcing our trade agreements and to providing assistance to our domestic textile and apparel industry, consistent with our international rights and obligations."