W(B)L 51-7406
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
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the principal need is for a favourable
decision by the EEC.
However, this
decision must represent the EEC's taking
up a sufficiently large proportion of
Hong Kong exports to warrant the USA
following suit.
Whatever partial de al
is suggested to the EEC should also be
applicable to the USA.
(c) Japan. The most negative reactions
to our representations have come from
Japan, which takes only 3.4% of
Hong Kong's exports (0.5% of total
Japanese imports) and in 1969, enjoyed
a trade surplus with the colony of
US.8546 million.
Japanese excuses
have varied widely, and hardly bother
to conceal the basic fact that
(i) Japanese textile firms would not
tolerate any concession to
Hong Kong exports.
(ii) Japan would feel obliged to
increase her list of sensitive
items were Hong Kong included as
beneficiary.
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