0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
4
7.
With regard to the statement in paragraph 2 of
the H.K. Government's Note, that imports from Hong Kong
of man made fibre products reached only 24/100 of 1% of
production and 23/100 of 1% of consumption, Mr. Nehmer
stated that the U.S. imported m.m.f. from 100 countries,
among which Hong Kong was the second major supplier of
textiles. It was not just the impact of imports from
Hong Kong which was of concern but the impact of total
imports (especially from such countries as Japan,
South Korea, Taiwan and Isra©l), which was creating major
problems of disruption or threat of disruption.
8.
Mr. Jordan pointed out that H.K.'s share of
consumption was very small (as indeed was the market share
held by imports generally) and enquired whether it was only
Hong Kong and Japan which had been asked to negotiate
comprehensive bilateral agreements and whether the U.S.
Government was talking in terms of the existence of market
disruption or the threat of it.
Sir Lugene Melville asked
whether the U.S. delegation could name the other countries
which the U.S. Government had approached or intended to
approach, and pointed out that although the U.S. Government.
was concerned with the totality of imports it must expect
if it raised matters bilaterally to be questioned in some
detail on the contribution of an individual country to
total imports and the effects on domestic production of
that contribution.
Mr. Nehner said that other low cost
/suppliers
CONFIDENTIAL