1
The American view is that the import problems of the US textile
industry could be solved without causing major damage if certain
countries introduced export restrictions. Another factor in
support of this solution is considered to be the fact that export
restrictions are, as a rule, less restrictive than import quotas.
The Americans claim that a solution will have to be found within
GATT in order to reduce discrimination. They think that the
cotton textile agreement of 1962 (Long Term Arrangement Regarding
International Trade in Cotton Textiles LTA;
31.12.1969) is an example worthy of imitation.
expiration date =
We are
They expect that we shall not object to their plans. German
exporters of textiles to the USA (mainly chemical fibres and
yarns) would not be affected by the export restrictions.
at most asked (as well as other European countries) to make an
effective contribution to easing the import pressure in the USA
by absorbing more of the goods they refuse. Such a contribution
would be all the more effective since it would probably be the
precondition for cooperation between the main supplying countries
to the US in the negotiations within GATT.
III.
Suggested German Approach
First of all, we should emphasise our willingness actively to
cooperate in finding a solution to international problems of trade
policy. However, we would have to do this as a member of the
European Communities.
It should also be pointed out that the
Federal Republic will, on principle, prefer such measures to solve
the problems not by restrictive methods but by an expansion of
world trade and the further development of the international
division of labour (reference to the European Communities' offer
of an asymmetrically accelerated tariff reduction on the Federal