America, China Reach Textile Pact
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

LONDON – America and China signed a deal yesterday limiting imports of Chinese clothing and textile products into America, ending three months of negotiations over the thorny issue.
The U.S. trade representative, Rob Portman, and the commerce minister of China, Bo Xilai, both described the deal as a “win-win” following a final round of talks here, but Mr. Bo later added that it was a “far cry” from China’s original expectations.
In America, groups representing clothing and textile manufacturers hailed the agreement, while some retailers expressed disappointment that the annual increases were not larger. The industry has been pushing for a deal since global quotas were lifted in January. Yesterday’s announcement smooths over the trade relationship between the two nations just over a week before President Bush visits China on a state visit.