Higher U.S. tariffs, quotas considered for Chinese textile imports
The Bush administration may impose temporary higher tariffs or quotas to reduce an influx of legal textile imports from China.
The administration said the decision, due out next month, is in line with China’s accession agreement with the World Trade Organization.
In its second annual report to the Congressional Textile Caucus this week, the administration noted the persistent problems with illegal transshipments of textile imports from China.
According to the report, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection seized more than $160 million of wearing apparel smuggled from China in 2003. The agency also stopped $518 million in illegal trade involving 282 factories that were closed down after U.S./Hong Kong Customs joint enforcement efforts.