TNAG-1056-FCO40-1306-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-EEC-1981 — Page 3

CODE 18-78;

Reference...

23

Aw McQuade At 17/12

Au Clif

Mr. Williamson J16.12

LAST PAPER

M. Elfar Pl. spää Miln

4

Hong Kong Request for Consultations on Respect of French QQ Rs.

t

1. Your minute below.

לי

NO

30/12 Pas 22/1

2. I spoke to Mr. Kinchen, who confirmed that the

"matters of principle' referred to

under which

a

number of

are the principles EC countries, notably france

and Italy, but not the UK, maintain selective

safeguard measures (:.e. restrictions) on

products from other non-EC trading partners, particularly Japan. These, Like the controls on Hong Kong watches, are

restrictions maintained since before the GATT

agreement

came into fore. It is feared that if Hong Kong

successful in this case, the Japanese

restrictions

se are

are

likely to launch

and similar attack on the likes which apply to

them.

Fawour

as

The UK are apparently in favour of the EC/ Japan restrictions, and thus would be likely to the side of france rather than Hong Kong if we were to become involved in the present case.

بpresents

he

C.4. Edgar 17/12