TNAG-0147-FCO40-183-Exports-of-textiles-to-United-States-of-America-1969 — Page 52

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apparel had increased by 77% and of man made fibre

woven apparel by 78% over the same period for 1968.

32.

Mr. Nehmer pointed out that for the first

time the quantity of man made fibre textile imports

in 1969 exceeded imports of cotton goods. M.n.f.

imports totalled 1,800 million square yards whilst

cotton imports totalled 1,700 million square yards.

The U.S. Government had some two dozen comprehensive

bilateral agreements covering cotton imports but none

covering man made fibres. Meanwhile imports of man

made fibre textiles had doubled in 2 years and this

fantastic growth rate could not be allowed to continue.

Furthermore although he did not wish to emphasise this

particular point too much, there had now been a marked

change in the balance of U.S. textile trade. Whereas

before the U.S. had been a net exporter of textiles,

the U.S. was now a net importer. This was a dramatic

change which had a very adverse visual impact on the

U.S. industry.

33.

Sir Eugene Melville said this situation was

no different from that experienced by the U.K.; it was

statistically convenient to show imports were greater

than exports but in themselves these figures were not

necessarily meaningful.

34.

Mr. Nehmer said the U.S. Government had

an attitude to the U.S. textile. industry different

/from

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