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the overall limit. Growth would be given and was negotiable.
He expected growth to be of the order of what had occurred
in cotton. There was a need to have an overall ceiling in
the view of the U.S. Government because of the mobility of
the Hong Kong textile industry. This had been amply
illustrated at the time the U.S. Government had had a
series of C.T.A. Article 3 restraints with Hong Kong
following a series of individual category negotiations.
He thought that in the long run it might be less injurious
for international trade relations if comprehensive arrange-
ments were made ab initio than if endless annual extensions
with new categorisation had to be discussed and agreed.
The so called "selective approach" was not practicable
since so many individual negotiations with so many indi-
vidual countries would be needed. Mr. Nehner then asked
what problems would be created for Hong Kong if it were to
accept the U.S. proposals for a comprehensive agreement.
76.
Sir Eugene Melville reminded the U.S. Government
representatives that he and his colleagues were there only
to seek elucidation of the U.S. Government position.
Note from the Hong Kong Government should in no way be
The
considered as an offer by Hong Kong to negotiate a limited
agreement on specific products.
Before this could happen
he and his colleagues would need to be convinced there was
in fact a problem arising from imports from Hong Kong.
/He
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