The United States has imposed quotas on imports of bras and certain expensive fabrics from China after American and Chinese trade negotiators failed to reach a deal in a brief meeting in Beijing on Thursday. The two sides have agreed to hold further talks on October 1 but China has admitted that fundamental differences remain. The decision is politically sensitive because it comes ahead of a visit by Chinese president Hu Jintao to the US next Wednesday.

US textile producers are claiming that cheap Chinese imports are threatening jobs, but retailers have complained that the imposition of quotas will drive up the price of clothing for U.S. consumers.

China is currently facing separate problems in the EU, with millions of goods being stranded at European ports after China breached annual quota levels.

Safeguards in America are currently in place on combed cotton yarn, men's and boys' shirts, cotton and synthetic-fibre trousers, synthetic-fibre knit shirts, cotton shirts and blouses, socks and underwear.