sa ta An attempt to establish a pressdent from the bilateral agreements in certain limited categories of non-cotton textiles into which Heng Kong had previously entered with a few countries was countered by the argument that these were not comprehensive
agreements and in any case only conceded restraint where seticum injury to particular sectors of the domestic industry had been demonstrated. Finally the Azeriems made their familiar reference
to the danger that if voluntary restraint was unattainable Congress might insist on the enactment of more damaging measures, perhaps not only affecting tartiles,
At the CTC meeting which immediately preceded these bilateral discussions the qucation of US pressure for some kind of restraint
over non-cotton textiles was prominent in the minds of most dele-
gations. The Americans were less outspoken than they might havE
been. However, it is clear that they are determined by one scans or another that the resident's pre-election commitment to the UB textile industry shall be fulfilled. We are uncertain how AVAFO
the President is himself of the implications for international trade of yielding to protectionist pressure and have boon giving thought to a suggestion from our Embassy in Yashington that the surest way of bringing our arguments to his personal attention might be by asking the Prime Minister to send him a message. Fuch a message, we have concluded, would be a last major curd, which we ought net to play unless and until we are sure that it would have a good chance of influencing the outcome.
A similar approach to that made to Hong Kong has now been made by the Americans to the other three Far Eastern "kay export- ing countries", However, Taiwan and Koros were not approached until a few days ago and even the Japanese not until 2 October.
The Japanese respenne will certainly be important. 80 far the indications are that they have stood as firm in their opposition as Hong Kong and have indend reacted very similarly. However, if Japanose weaken it will probably be for political reasons and the time of greatest pressure on them will be when their Frime
Minister visita Washingten on 19 November.
Our
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