TNAG-0239-FCO40-275-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalised-tariffs-preferences--1970 — Page 110

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

to make an exact calculation of the direct loss of exports to the U.S. undor (1) above; but an approximate calculation might be made as follows:

$ Million

Hong Kong s total exports to the U.S. in 1969 Deduct: exports of textiles and footwear: (not included in U.S. offer)

740

300

440

Deduct: radios, human hair wigs, cigarette lighters, etc. (not eligible under origin rules

86

At risk under Preferences Scheme

354

This figure includes some categories in which all exports would qualify for preference from the point of view of origin, but also others in which Varying proportions of exports would be in-

A fair estimate is eligible owing to excessive imported content. that in 1969, some $200 million of exports to the U.S. would have (The figure complied with an origin critorion of 50% added value, for 1970 might be $300 million.)

>

Some of the categories making up this figure arei

Total

exports to

Product

Proportion meeting..

origin criterion

1969 Million

V.S. Tariff

Toys and dolls

All

83

124 to 33%

Transistors

A11

36

10%

Rettanware

Most

18

20%

Electrical Appliances

Mont

16

6 to 40%

Travel goods and handbags

Most

10

94 to 20%

Furniture

Most

7

3 to 28%

Batteries

Most

3

14%

Plastic flowers

Some

52

25%

Synthetic hair wigs

Some

35

11%

The above are all products which can be, and are being, The margin made in and exported from Taiwan, Korea and elsewhere, of superiority (quality or price) which Hong Kong products used to enjoy has in many cases already disappeared, and it is clear that even a small tariff differential would inevitably deflect

It seems likely that, purchases from Hong Kong to other countries.

as a result of discrimination, ilong Kong would lose at least half of the $250 million current exports to the United States that would have been eligible for preference, and would lose, in addition, the prospect of future growth in the above categories and in new ones.

15.

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