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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement that the Bush Administration will begin negotiations towards a comprehensive textile agreement with China.

“I am encouraged by the Administration’s announcement that they will seek a comprehensive agreement with China to stem a surge of clothing and textile imports flooding into the United States.

"Today’s climate of uncertainty makes it almost impossible for our textile producers and apparel producers to create a business plan. It is my hope that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and other U.S. negotiators will be successful in reaching an agreement extending current safeguards so that our producers can plan for the future and grow textile and apparel jobs in this country.

“My constituents in the Fifth District expect us to be tough with our trading partners, and I will continue to encourage the Administration to be extremely firm with China.

“We must put a stop to China’s attempts to cripple our manufacturing economy leading to the elimination of U.S. jobs by illegally flooding our markets. China’s idea of fair trade is government subsidies of its textile and apparel exports to the United States, currency manipulation and forgiveness of loans by its government banks. We must take immediate action to address this problem. If we fail to do so, we will continue to lose American manufacturing jobs. That is unacceptable.”

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