TNAG-0147-FCO40-183-Exports-of-textiles-to-United-States-of-America-1969 — Page 71

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78.

Mr. Jordan said he could not see any connection

between Hong Kong's agreements on non-cottons with Canada,

Sweden and Norway and the present approach from the U.S.

Government. Hong Kong had never been asked to conclude a

comprehensive bilateral agreement by any of these countries.

The Hong Kong Government had agreed unilaterally to restrain

exports of particular products where it had been satisfied

that domestic industry was being seriously damaged by

imports of these products and that the bulk of these imports

came from Hong Kong.

79.

Sir Eugene Melville thought that the principles

involved in these matters should best be considered in the

G.A.T.T. Mr. Nehmer did not think this was a G.A.T.T.

problem. Hong Kong had not gone to the G.A.T.T. in connection

with its restraints on non-cotton exports to Canada, Sweden

and Norway for example. Sir Eugene Melville said he had

emphasised that it was the principles involved which should

be considered in G.A.T.T.; it was not necessary for the

matter to be referred to the G.A.T.T. if one side gave an

unilateral undertaking or two sides reached agreement,

unless some other Contracting Party raised the matter.

80.

Mr. Nehmer said that the U.S. Government believed

that its proposals for a comprehensive bilateral agreement

were compatible with the G.A.T.T., and the market disruption

clɛusc. Sir Eugene Melville thought it would however be

necessary to convince other G.A.T.T. members that the

/proposals

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