China: EU Sticks to July 12 Deadline for Curbing China-Made Trousers Imports

According to the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the European Union (EU) will not permit import of China-made trousers shipped from July 12, 2005.

The German Association of Importers of Finished Goods had sent a notice to MOC that the new data released by the European Commission (EC) shows that on August 9 the export quota of China-made trousers to EU had surpassed the maximum limit of 104,405,000 agreed on June by the two sides.

The Association has joined other European countries demanding relation on the curbs imposed on Chinese textile imports.

Sources said that certain categories of textiles will soon be exhausted this month, and the situation will affect both, retailers and consumers, aswell.

It is learnt that the German government has communicated to EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson about its fears on the monetary losses suffered by clothing importers.

Meanwhile, French retailers have sounded alert that school childern will return to school next season without new uniforms as deaprtment stores face trousers and pullover shortages.

Gelco, a German clothing company informed Monday, that it was readying for legal battle after incurring €1m loss on awaited orders from China. Company's Chief Executive, Jürgen Richter, said 38,000 sweaters from China were held up by German customs as China's quota had expired.

It is also learnt that Sweden is seek cooperation from other EU partners to enhance Chinese textile quotas.

On the other hand, the EC spokesman informed that the EU will not permit any imports on China-made trousers shipped since July 12. However, the shipments, which were shipped before July 11, can still enter the EU market.

After threatening imports of China-made pullovers, now, the EU has trained its guns to block trousers, womens garments and bra import from China.