TNAG-0298-FCO40-334-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 141

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GENERALISED PREFERENCE SCHEME

When I saw Mr. Posthumus Meyjes yesterday I took the opportunity to ask about the Dutch Government's stand on the Community's offer under the general preference scheme. He gave me the following reasons why the Dutch think the Community should commit themselves now to making their offer on 1 July whether or not other developed countries had done so.

(i) The developing countries could reasonably expect it binco the offer had been promised a couple of years ago at the Delhi UNCTAD meeting.

(ii) An offer by the Community would increase pressure on the Americans to produce their offer,

(iii) There were considerable pressures inside the Community to withdraw products, notably textiles, from the Community offer.

The longer the Community's offer was postponed the greater the danger that these pressures would whittle it down.

2. The Dutch therefore hope that the Council will decide on 30 March both on the scope of the Community's offer and that the scheme should be introduced on 1 July.

کاستل

Colleys

Kiss J J d'A Collings

NI

pr. copy to

17 February 1971

The Hon M.A. Pasmuäm Eid

M. J.A. Cooke, U.R. Del. Broccis.

ec FPAD

ec ODA

c.c. Hong King Dest

CC cc. Mn.Ingram, DT!.

1. enter. 2. Au

Aut

22/1

un bund or (to see).

*