EU start onderzoek naar dumppraktijken Chinees textiel (en)

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson i has called on Beijing to consider stricter measures to curb a surge in textile exports or face sanctions, confirming Brussels would launch a probe into nine categories of clothing especially affected by Chinese competitors.

Mr Mandelson presented the findings about imports from China to European trade ministers at their informal meeting on Sunday (24 April) in Luxembourg.

EU member states are divided over the issue with some - like Italy and France - urging Brussels to take immediate action in order to tackle the damaging boost in imports since January, when worldwide textiles quotas were lifted.

Others - such as the Scandinavian countries - oppose the protectionist measures.

Mr Mandelson noted about nine types of textiles in which import limits could be introduced if Beijing does not act itself.

They include standard items of clothing such as T-shirts, men's trousers, blouses, stockings and socks, women's overcoats, bras and flax yarn.

The biggest increase of Chinese imports was reported for pullovers, which have risen by 534 per cent in the quarter.

The European Commission will now launch an investigation to justify possible safeguard measures, which could be introduced within 150 days.

Mr Mandelson said he expected to get the results of the probe by June - about 60 days after its launch. If it wants to do so, the EU could impose the ceilings for Chinese textile imports shortly after that.

Still, he maintained he hoped the EU and China could yet reach a deal to prevent the measures, which he stressed would be "proportionate".

"Chinese exports should of course be allowed to grow at a normal speed following the removal of quotas", said the Trade Commissioner, adding "But we must also extend protection to European industry as it is faced with a ruinous surge of unprecedented proportion".