Visit of Mr. Stans, U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Meeting between officials, 25th April 1969
Those present were:-
U.S. Representatives
Mr. Nehmer
Hon. Harry Dent
Hon. Theodore Gates
Mr. Katz
Mr. Fox
Mr. Blackman
Mr. Preeg
Mrs. Wells
U.K. Representatives
Mr. Hughes Mr. Carey
(Commerce) (White House) (STR) (State)
(Commerce) (Labour)
Embassy
Mr. Jupp
Mr. Stewart Miss Welch
Mr. Goldsmith
Mr. Dunnett
Mr. MacMahon
Mr. Inglefield
Mr. Willott
Sir Arthur Snelling
Mr. Whitehead
Mr. Ridley
•
Mr. Dixon
Observer
Mr. Sellars
1.1
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CRE.1
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FCO
Embassy, Washington
MAFF
Hong Kong
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Following the discussion between the President and Mr. Stans the day before, it was agreed that officials should meet to discuss in more detail the case for restraint of textile imports and non-tariff barriers. Textiles were taken first.
TEXTILES
The U.S. Case
2. Mr. Nehmer first argued the case for restrictions on wool and man-made fibre (m.m.f.) textiles and apparel. U.S. imports of these (including filament yarn with twist, but excluding staple fibre and unprocessed yarns) had increased sharply; in 1968 imports of textiles of all fibres were up by $ 300 million, or 60%, and imports of m.m.f. textiles and apparel had increased by 54% last year. The U.S. had swung from being a net exporter in 1961 to a net importer by 1967. The import consumption ratio (ratio of imports to total consumption) for cotton goods had risen from 5.2% in 1961 to 10.4% in 1968; for wool goods the increase was from 13% to 25% and for m.m.f. from 1% to 43%.
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