CITA Seeks Comments on its "Self-Initiated" Safeguard Quota Proceedings for China Cats 338/339, 347/348, and 352/652
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued three notices announcing that it has decided, on its own initiative, to consider whether imports of Chinese origin cotton knit shirts/blouses (cat 338/339), Chinese origin cotton trousers/breeches/slacks/shorts (cat 347/348) and Chinese origin cotton and/or man-made fiber (MMF) underwear (cat 352/652) are, due to market disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development of trade in these products, and whether a China safeguard quota is appropriate.
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Due Date for Written Comments is May 9, 2005
CITA is seeking comments by May 9, 2005 in order to assist it in considering whether market disruption exists, and, if so, the role of imports from China in that disruption.
(CITA notes that for purposes of clarification, these notices are not solicitations for comments regarding any possible "threat" of market disruption.)
Comments May Address Preliminary 2005 Import Data, Etc.
In its notices, CITA provides data which it states the public may wish to consider when submitting comments, including the following comparison of January-March 2004 data with January-March 2005 data:
| Imports from World (dozens) | Imports from China (dozens) | China's Share of Imports | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat 338/339 | |||
| Jan. - Mar. 2004 | 83,663,000 | 518,000 | 0.6% |
| Jan. - Mar. 2005 | 98,493,000 | 7,040,000 | 7.1% |
| Cat 347/348 | |||
| Jan. - Mar. 2004 | 41,032,000 | 406,000 | 1.0% |
| Jan. - Mar. 2005 | 47,860,000 | 6,583,000 | 13.8% |
| Cat 352/652 | |||
| Jan. - Mar. 2004 | 57,451,000 | 1,256,000 | 2.2% |
| Jan. - Mar. 2005 | 63,769,000 | 5,125,000 | 8.0% |
CITA notes that the 2005 data includes preliminary data.
CITA Has 60 Calendar Days from May 9, 2005 to Determine Whether to Request Consultations with China
CITA states that it expects to make its determinations within 60 calendar days of May 9, 2005 as to whether the U.S. will request consultations with China regarding cats 338/339, 347/348, and/or 352/652.
If CITA is unable to make a determination(s) by that date, it will publish a notice(s) in the Federal Register listing the date(s) by which it will make its determination(s). In addition, CITA states that if it decides to not request consultations with China, it will publish that negative determination(s) in the Federal Register.
If CITA Finds Market Disruption That Threatens to Impede Orderly Trade Development, It Will Request Consultations and China Will Limit its Shipments
If CITA makes an affirmative determination(s) that imports of the subject Chinese origin apparel are, due to market disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development of trade in these products, the U.S. will request consultations with China with a view to easing such market disruption.
Beginning on the date that it receives such a request(s), China must restrict its shipments to the U.S. of the subject product(s) to a level no greater than 7.5% (6% for wool product categories) above the amount entered during the first 12 months of the most recent 14 months preceding the request(s). In addition, the U.S. is expected to implement this level(s) as a quota limit(s).
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/05/05 news, 05040500, for BP summary of CITA's press release announcing its decision to self-initiate these safeguard proceedings.)
CITA contact - Jay Dowling (202) 482-4058
CITA notices (FR Pub 04/08/05) available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-7254.pdf;
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-7255.pdf; and
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-7256.pdf.