Mandelson moves to release Chinese textiles

European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said today he had started moves to unblock Chinese textile imports held up at EU frontiers.

“I have … set in motion procedures to unblock the goods,” he told a news conference in Brussels.

Mandelson declined to give details of his plans to release the goods, pending talks with European governments.

Millions of pounds worth of sweaters, bras and other garments have been blocked by EU customs after Chinese exporters quickly overshot a quota agreement reached in June to protect European textile producers.

European retailers have warned the hold-up could lead to stores going bankrupt and shoppers facing empty shelves this autumn and winter.

Mandelson acknowledged that talks so far with governments of the 25 EU nations and the Chinese authorities had “so far not produced a mutually satisfactory solution,” but added that he hoped European governments would quickly approve his latest proposals.

In a BBC interview on Sunday, Mandelson said if his proposals were backed, the Chinese goods could be freed up for sale in Europe by mid-September.

He played down fears of clothing shortages, saying that Chinese clothing imports would increase even with the quotas agreed in June.

“I do not think that the scare stories about clothing shortages comparable to those experienced in the last World War are remotely justified and I hope such hyperbole can now be put aside,” Mandelson said.