TNAG-0337-FCO40-373-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster--Sir-Geoff-1972 — Page 58

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II. FRENCH DISCRIMINATORY IMPORT RESTRICTIONS

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1. We can express general sympathy with Hong Kong, but

it would be premature and undesirable at this stage to give

any precise commitment about the line we would propose to

adopt or the level at which this matter should be

appropriately pursued in Brussels or in Paris. It is not

yet clear when the Community will be ready to discuss

formally with us the revision of Regulation 1025/70.

2. France maintains a fairly extensive list of import

quotas against third countries including some restrictions

solely against Hong Kong. The restrictions maintained

against GATT members are in general in default of her CATT

obligations. She is the only one of the Six applying

restrictions on a significant range of items against Hong

Kong.

3. In the GATT Joint Working Group on Import Restrictiorg

Hong Kong has said that her exports are severly limit by

France, especially in textiles where some non-cotton homme

which are not restricted by other countries are the subject

of French quotas; in other cases, general restrictions apply

with special severity to Hong Kong's trade. In the view of

Hong Kong, restrictions on these and other items are

unilateral quotas imposed by the French authorities without

authorisation under international rules.

4.

France has replied by referring to the problems of

French industry and holds out little hope of liberalisation.

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