126. In conclusion, the representative of the United States supported the continuation of the Cotton Textile Arrangement beyond 30 September 1970.
127. At a later stage, the representative of the United States said that he did not believe that the objective facts of the situation confirmed the statements which had peon made by some exporting countries that the Arrangement had failed to work out in a generally satisfactory manner. Examination of import statistics had revealed an impressive increase in imports by importing developed countries since the coming into force of the Arrangement. addition, adjustment measures reported to the Committee represented a major effort by most importing countries to adapt their industries in such a way as to provide more access for cotton textiles from exporting countries.
128. With respect to the future of the Arrangement, he pointed out that most
importing countries had serious problems in the very sensitive textile sector e
In case of the abolition of the Arrangement, these countries would be forced to resort to other devices. The possibility of resorting to a unilateral restriction would certainly be less favourable than the present Arrangement which provided for a code of general conduct for participating countries in the field of cotton textiles.
129. Referring to the suggestions which had been made by some delegation's to improve the Arrangement, he said that if the Arrangement was to be modified the United States would have some suggestions to offer, particularly in connexion with the growth formula which many producers and labour organizations considered to be too liberal. ·However, it seemed to him advisable to avoid opening up the Arrangement to major changes which could involve difficult and protracted negotiations. As had been suggested, a more appropriate approach would be for exporting and importing countries to discuss thoir respective problems bilaterally.
130. He roferred to the point which had been made that cotton textiles should not be included in the exceptions lists when 'considering general non- discriminatory preferences for the products coming from developing countries. Commenting on this, he said that the Cotton Textiles Committee ought not to be, involved in this subject in view of the fact that the whole question was under serious consideration by other international organizations..
131. As regards the question of non-cotton textiles, he said that it might be usoful, as suggested by the United Kingdom and the EEC, to study this problem within the framowork of the GATT. It was clear that cotton textile problems could not be isolated from problems of other fibres and perhaps such an examination could point the way to an overall solution. However, the study of these problems was likely to be difficult and time-consuming. He therefore hoped that the question of non-cottons, at least for the present; time, would be kept separate from cottons. The future of the Arrangement should first be dealt with and then, in the not-too-distant futuro, the question of other fibres might be examined by GATT
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.