RESTRICTED
044762
889
MDLIAN
THE AMERICANS.
5. WE RECOMMEND, HOWEVER, THAT ONCE THE LIST IS AVAILABLE, WE AND HKETO CON ADVICE FROM HKG) CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATION AGAIN, BUILDING ON THE AGREEMENT ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT DAMAGE TO HONG KONG SHOULD BE MINIMISED, TO POINT TO SECTORS/PRODUCTS PROPOSED FOR RETALIATION WHICH WOULD BEAR MOST HEAVILY ON HONG KONG EXPORTS. WE CAN DO THIS PRIVATELY AND, IF HONG KONG AGREE, ON THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR GREATEST EFFECT. SINCE WE WILL MERELY BE REACTING TO PUBLISHED US PROPOSALS, THERE SHOULD BE LESS DANGER OF ADVERSE CHINESE REACTION. US IMPORTERS AND DISTRIBUTORS WILL BE LOBBYING AGAINST ITEMS ON THE LIST AT THE SAME TIME.
6.
LOBBYING AT THAT STAGE IS NOT (NOT) TOO LATE: THE ADMINISTRATION'S USUAL PRACTICE IS TO PROPOSE RETALIATION IN FAR MORE SECTORS THAN IS NECESSARY TO EQUAL THE TRADE LOSS, IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROPOSALS WILL BE WHITTLED DOWN BY THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
RENWICK
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
69
ΜΑΙΝ
68
LIMITED
NEWS D
HKD
PS
FED
NAD
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
PS/PUS
ERD
SIR J COLES
JOINT DIRECTORATE
MR BAYNE
EAPD/ODA
MR MILES
ESED
MR BURNS
RAD
ADDITIONAL
1
DTI/ASH HSE
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