TNAG-0243-FCO40-279-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1973 — Page 143

HONG KONG

Confidentia. Priority

Governor,

Hong Kong

CONFIDENTIAL

A.

GOVERNOR, HONG KONG

Washington, Geneva.

UKMIS Geneva telegram to FCO No.590 of

Textiles

1 August.

Indicated that.

Лет

they demonied

International Trade

HKD TPD

Commodities

EID

Discussions of this meeting showed that the Japanese) remain strongly opposed to any extension of the LTA to non-cotton textiles. Their hesitancy about agreeing to the GATT study (paragraph 6 of the telegram under reference) is largely due to fear that it would result in such an extension and that any i interim agreement with the Americans would prejudice the study from the outset. The EEC took a similar view though Dahrendorf recognised privately that some sort of extended LTA might become inevitable in the

end.

2. In amplification of paragraph 7 of the telegram under reference, you will wish to know that the Japanese reaction to the possibility of resumed bilateral discussions between Hong Kong and the USA was entirely relaxed and they gave no indication that they would oppose them. Dahrendorf on the other hand was decidedly unenthusiastic. Long seemed to think that such an initiative might

possibly be helpful. The Americans said that they

would need a little time to consider whether an early bilateral approach from Hong Kong would be welcome and they have promised to give us their views soon.

1300.