The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) announced its decision to extend the period for making determinations on six pending textile safeguard cases in order to consult with our 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.

Because of these consultations, the Committee is unable to make a determination within 60 calendar days of the close of the comment period. CITA also agreed to accept for consideration five safeguard petitions filed in July.

“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 U.S. 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 until August 31, 2005, the period for making determinations on whether to request consultations with China regarding imports of six textile and apparel product categories. The categories are:

Other synthetic filament fabric;
Men’s and boys’ wool trousers;
Cotton and man-made fiber dressing gowns and robes;
Cotton and man-made fiber brassieres;
Knit fabric; and
Cotton and man-made fiber sweaters.
In addition, CITA agreed to accept for consideration requests for safeguard action limiting imports of the following product categories:

Cotton, wool and man-made fiber socks;
Women’s and girls’ cotton and man-made fiber woven shirts;
Cotton and man-made fiber skirts;
Cotton and man-made fiber nightwear; and
Cotton and man-made fiber swimwear.