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BRIEF 13
BRIEF FOR MINISTER OF TRADE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG
30 AUGUST - 5 SEPTEMBER 1980
SAFEGUARDS
POINTS TO MAKE (IF NECESSARY)
1.
Explore the current Hong Kong Government thinking in relation to the safeguard negotiations.
2.
Confirm that we are anxious for the negotiations to
continue in Geneva rather than New York.
· 3•
Explain that we continue to think that selectivity is essential because this is the only way that Article XIX actions will minimise the overall damage to world trade.
4.
Confirm also that the UK Government could not accept an outcome to the safeguards negotiations which prevented them from taking the action which they with Community agreement considered essential for the best interest of domestic industry
5.
-
•
Reassure Hong Kong that we continue to be opposed to the imposition of import controls in general terms, but we must look to the possibility of controls in certain sectors where sudden. surge in imports damages British industry.
6.
There are no products on which we are currently contemplating
action against Hong Kong.
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