TNAG-0299-FCO40-335-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 39

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The list of 100 items subject to restriction in 1 would be reduced to 40 items by Autumn 1971. items had been liberalised this year, including whisky. 20 more were to be liberalised at an earl

The

date./further 20 items would include confectioner by September this year.

Turning to the bilateral trade talks, Japan had indicated her wish to abolish the voluntary export controls which had been maintained in force and also to gain the abolition of the safeguard

protocol. The British had requested reductions in

certain tariffs and had pressed for

accelerated liberalisation for certain items.

Voluntary export controls still applied to 40 россту

textile items and 4 other items. The British

desiderata had included the abolition or reduction

the Japanese tariff on whisky and the specific dut, on wool textiles, the liberalisation of confectio and the liberalisation of, or the establishment

special

of a single quota for, leather and footwear. Japai was fully aware of the British request endorsed by

the Prime Minister last year for the reduction of the tariff on whisky: This was being given seriou consideration. As regards the specific duty on

The

wool textiles, no conclusion had been reached.

were difficulties. The matter would be considered

further. As he had previously indicated, the impor of confectionery was to be liberalised by the end

September. Japan would find it very difficult to

liberalise leather and footwear since this affected

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