TNAG-0145-FCO40-181-Exports-of-textiles-to-United-States-of-America-1969 — Page 133

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Mr. Carter, (Hong Kong Department, K 246)

Visit to Hong Kong:

Textile Talks with Mr. Stans

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You may care to see the attached comprehensive Brief for these talks which was prepared by the Department of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong. Mr. Jordan and I discussed the Brief with Sir J. Cowperthwaite, the Financial Secretary, and Mr. Lupton, Deputy Economic Secretary, on the afternoon before the talks with the Americans.

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I raised only two points, as follows:

(i) Section A, page 8. I felt that if it became necessary to deal with these individual cases, it should be emphasised that a great many factors had to be taken into account and that a sharply rising trend of imports would not in itself be nearly sufficient evidence. I added that it would be important not to concede, even by implication, that Hong Kong accepted a voluntary restraint system This point was, I think, well taken by the Hong Kong authorities.

(ii) Section C, page 1. I felt that the opening paragraphs of this section gave a somewhat mislead- ing impression of the reaction of European countries, who had uniformly adopted a negative attitude towards Mr. Stans' proposals. The only comment on their reaction which I had seen which might have given rise to the impression that the countries concerned were not wholeheartedly opposed to the American ideas was that they might have been too polite in stating their views. This point, too, was accepted.

3. When you have finished with the Brief I would like to show it to Mr. Dunnett in the Board of Trade and to give him an opportunity to take a copy if he wishes.

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ا مجلس سنسار

G. S. Whitehead) Commodities Department

22 May, 1969