The textile exporters of China requested United States government not to place barrier on Chinese textiles and further warned that this could violate World Trade Organisation (WTO) principles.

The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles said Chinese textile exports to the United States have not hurt American makers although US output of dressing gowns fell 40.2 percent in 2001 from the year before. "The stagnation of the US textile industry is cyclical in nature and not due to increased imports from China," the chamber said in a statement. The statement came in response to a petition filed in Washington by US textile makers alleging "illegally-subsidised Chinese imports" are threatening the orderly development of trade in the US textile and apparel market.

The US industry petition calls on Washington to take action in four areas, including knit fabric, gloves, dressing gowns and bras made with cotton and man-made fibre.