I would like to address a relatively small but very important issue in the GATT implementing legislation: The issue of Chinese. Hong Kong. and Macau textile quotas. This issue relates to GATT because under the Uruguay round agreement. the world textile quota system. known as the multifiber arrangement. will be phased out by 2005. Until 2005. however. a quota system will remain in effect. and Chinese quotas could last even longer than 2005 if China by then has not joined the World Trade Organization. This also relates to OATT because the implementing legislation restates the rule of origin for textile and apparel imports. The question has been raised: Will the United States allow China to use the textile quotas we now allow Hong Kong and Macau once those two territories return to China?
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quota system