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Paper and paperboard and newspapers etc
Certain electrical equipment
Certain transport equipment
Certain clocks and watches
The list also notes restrictions which apply solely to the
following goods originating from Hong Kong:
Certain textiles and textile articles
Umbrellas and certain ceramic products
Certain electrical equipment
Certain optical and cinematographic goods
Certain toys
9. The French appear to have a lack of confidence in the mechanisms of GATT, probably because they would in most cases have no GATT grounds for taking action, and have rather unconvincingly expressed fears that new Hong Kong industries might be set up overnight to take advantage of any liberalisation
by France.
10.
In the past the French have stressed the continuing "restructuralisation" of the French industry and the need for protective measures, and have stuck firmly to their grounds as admitted sinners" against the GATT.
(France of course is
not alone in maintaining such restrictions.
The United Kingdom
and other EEC countries also maintain residual restrictions). 11. Nevertheless during recent years France has gradually moved, in general, towards the liberalisation of goods she restricts. Movement towards liberalisation of goods from
Hong Kong however is likely to be slow due, inter alia, to fears of "low cost" competition.
4.
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/12.