TNAG-0144-FCO40-180-Exports-of-textiles-to-United-States-of-America-1969 — Page 81

Visit of Mr. Stans, U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Meeting between officials, 25th April 1969

Those present were:-

U.S. Representatives

Mr. Nehmer

Hon. Harry Dent

Hon. Theodore Gates

Mr. Katz

Mr. Fox

Mr. Blackman

Mr. Preeg

Mrs. Wells

U.K. Representatives

Mr. Hughes Mr. Carey

(Commerce) (White House) (STR) (State)

(Commerce) (Labour)

Embassy

Mr. Jupp

Mr. Stewart Miss Welch

Mr. Goldsmith

Mr. Dunnett

Mr. MacMahon

Mr. Inglefield

Mr. Willott

Sir Arthur Snelling

Mr. Whitehead

Mr. Ridley

•

Mr. Dixon

Observer

Mr. Sellars

1.1

.)

CRE.1

) CRE.4

}

FCO

Embassy, Washington

MAFF

Hong Kong

123

Following the discussion between the President and Mr. Stans the day before, it was agreed that officials should meet to discuss in more detail the case for restraint of textile imports and non-tariff barriers. Textiles were taken first.

TEXTILES

The U.S. Case

2. Mr. Nehmer first argued the case for restrictions on wool and man-made fibre (m.m.f.) textiles and apparel. U.S. imports of these (including filament yarn with twist, but excluding staple fibre and unprocessed yarns) had increased sharply; in 1968 imports of textiles of all fibres were up by $ 300 million, or 60%, and imports of m.m.f. textiles and apparel had increased by 54% last year. The U.S. had swung from being a net exporter in 1961 to a net importer by 1967. The import consumption ratio (ratio of imports to total consumption) for cotton goods had risen from 5.2% in 1961 to 10.4% in 1968; for wool goods the increase was from 13% to 25% and for m.m.f. from 1% to 43%.

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