The Bush administration has announced a plan to conduct consultations on whether to seek a broader agreement with China on US imports of textile and apparel.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has decided to extend the period for making determinations on six pending textile safeguard cases in order to consult with the domestic textile and apparel industries and members of Congress about whether to pursue a broader agreement with China on imports of Chinese textile and apparel products to the United States

  Today’s decision will allow us time to engage in substantive discussions with our domestic textile and apparel industries and members of Congress on whether there is interest in a broader textile agreement with China,” said US commerce secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez. We look forward to working with industry and Congressional leaders to get their views on the best way to ensure a level playing field.”

CITA extended the period for making decisions until August 31 on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of six textile and apparel product categories.

In addition, CITA agreed to consider requests for safeguard action limiting imports of the following product categories: cotton, wool and man-made fibre socks; women’s and girls’ cotton and man-made fibre woven shirts; cotton and man-made fibre skirts; cotton and man-made fibre nightwear; and cotton and man-made fibre swimwear.