Brazil/China textile accord is further along in WTO

Mylena Fiori

Reporter - Agência Brasil

Hong Kong (China) - The minister of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, confirmed today (16) that there has been progress in the textile accord between Brazil and China. According to Furlan, the Chinese agreed to limit part of their textile exports to Brazil until 2008.

The political settlement was reached alongside the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 6th Ministerial Meeting, which began Tuesday (13) and ends on Sunday (18) in Hong Kong, China. The presence of representatives from 149 countries has enabled Furlan to hold bilateral meetings.

Regarding a Chinese self-imposed limitation on textile exports to Brazil, the minister affirmed that all that is missing is a legal examination of the accord by the Chinese. He said that the Chinese wanted a pledge from Brazil not to resort to safeguard mechanisms against other Chinese products. The proposal was rejected, but Furlan guaranteed that Brazil will make every possible effort, via bilateral channels, before applying protectionist measures in other sectors.

According to Furlan, the Brazilian offer was accepted as the "basis" for an accord, but the matter will be discussed further at a meeting scheduled for January in the Chinese capital, Beijing. The safeguards would cover synthetic fabrics, textured polyester threads, silks, velvets, sweaters and pullovers, embroidery, and knitwear shirts.

Translation: David Silberstein