Menu
05/09/2005
Blair confident on EU and China trade deal
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that he believes the trade dispute between the European Union and China can be successfully resolved.
The Prime Minister made his comments during a trip to Beijing for trade talks, as part of an EU-China summit. Mr Blair said: "There are bound to be disagreements over trade, partly because of the strength of the Chinese economic performance and where there are disagreements we have got to resolve them as we have fortunately been able to do in respect of textiles."
“The strategic partnership between China and the EU is of immense importance, not just in terms of trade, but also in terms of our co-operation on the major political issues the world faces.”
It has been reported that that the EU and China have settled the dispute, which led to around 75 million items of imported Chinese clothing, including trousers, sweaters and bras, being held at customs warehouses across the EU under new trade quotas.
The deal is believed to allow the goods through to the EU, with around half of them counting against 2006 quotas.
However, while EU officials have reportedly said that the deal has been agreed, their Chinese counterparts have said that the deal has not yet been finalised.
The deal will also have to be agreed by all 25 EU member states.
The new EU quotas, which were announced in June, were introduced in order to stop cheap Chinese imported clothing flooding into Europe. However, many European retailers rushed to place orders with China after the announcement of the new quotas, which soon pushed the level of imports over the new limits.
The British Retail Consortium warned that, if the crisis was not resolved, Britain could face a clothing shortage in the winter. However, countries such as France, Italy and Spain, which have large textile industries, did not want the quotas to be changed, in order to protect their own industries from the cheap Chinese imports.
EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, has faced increasing criticism over his handling of the crisis, which has been dubbed the ‘bra wars’.
(KMcA)
The Prime Minister made his comments during a trip to Beijing for trade talks, as part of an EU-China summit. Mr Blair said: "There are bound to be disagreements over trade, partly because of the strength of the Chinese economic performance and where there are disagreements we have got to resolve them as we have fortunately been able to do in respect of textiles."
“The strategic partnership between China and the EU is of immense importance, not just in terms of trade, but also in terms of our co-operation on the major political issues the world faces.”
It has been reported that that the EU and China have settled the dispute, which led to around 75 million items of imported Chinese clothing, including trousers, sweaters and bras, being held at customs warehouses across the EU under new trade quotas.
The deal is believed to allow the goods through to the EU, with around half of them counting against 2006 quotas.
However, while EU officials have reportedly said that the deal has been agreed, their Chinese counterparts have said that the deal has not yet been finalised.
The deal will also have to be agreed by all 25 EU member states.
The new EU quotas, which were announced in June, were introduced in order to stop cheap Chinese imported clothing flooding into Europe. However, many European retailers rushed to place orders with China after the announcement of the new quotas, which soon pushed the level of imports over the new limits.
The British Retail Consortium warned that, if the crisis was not resolved, Britain could face a clothing shortage in the winter. However, countries such as France, Italy and Spain, which have large textile industries, did not want the quotas to be changed, in order to protect their own industries from the cheap Chinese imports.
EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, has faced increasing criticism over his handling of the crisis, which has been dubbed the ‘bra wars’.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 September 2003
Fair trade tops agenda in Cancun
At the first day of the World Trade Organisation talks in Cancun, staunch economic rivals Europe and America will be aligned against many of the world’s poorer nations.
Fair trade tops agenda in Cancun
At the first day of the World Trade Organisation talks in Cancun, staunch economic rivals Europe and America will be aligned against many of the world’s poorer nations.
16 September 2015
Unite Put Govt 'On Notice' Over Trade Union Bill
The UK's largest union has put the government "on notice", that it would defy the Trade Union Bill "using any means necessary to defend the democratic rights and freedoms of all trade unionists and the working people of our nation".
Unite Put Govt 'On Notice' Over Trade Union Bill
The UK's largest union has put the government "on notice", that it would defy the Trade Union Bill "using any means necessary to defend the democratic rights and freedoms of all trade unionists and the working people of our nation".
27 March 2013
UK Economy Continues To Shrink
The economy continues to shrink, with UK GDP having decreased by 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012, according to a new report published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The report says the main contributors to the decrease were gross fixed capital formation, which fell by 0.
UK Economy Continues To Shrink
The economy continues to shrink, with UK GDP having decreased by 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012, according to a new report published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The report says the main contributors to the decrease were gross fixed capital formation, which fell by 0.
02 June 2008
Over 5,000 Council Trade Workers Strike Over Pay
Over 5,000 council trade workers are to hold a one-day strike, which could be repeated every two weeks until an agreement is reached in a row over pay. Trade workers such as plasterers and electricians for councils including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife are said to be unhappy about being forced to work longer hours than council colleagues.
Over 5,000 Council Trade Workers Strike Over Pay
Over 5,000 council trade workers are to hold a one-day strike, which could be repeated every two weeks until an agreement is reached in a row over pay. Trade workers such as plasterers and electricians for councils including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife are said to be unhappy about being forced to work longer hours than council colleagues.
23 September 2004
Trade minister calls for closer Anglo-French cooperation
New trade minister Douglas Alexander has today called upon UK and France to work together to keep Europe "at the forefront of world trade negotiations" following the recent Geneva agreement.
Trade minister calls for closer Anglo-French cooperation
New trade minister Douglas Alexander has today called upon UK and France to work together to keep Europe "at the forefront of world trade negotiations" following the recent Geneva agreement.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
