Coalition files more safeguard petitions

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/23/2005 12:04:00 PM

WASHINGTON – Textiles trade groups and the industry union filed four new safeguard petitions. They hope that if the next round of negotiations between the United States and China fails to produce an agreement, the new safeguards would slow imports going into 2006.

The petitions — covering polyester filament fabric, cheesecloth, men’s wool suits and man-made fiber coats – capped off the group’s filing of reapplications on nine safeguards covering 16 product categories through 2006. Current safeguards on those categories are due to expire at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department’s preliminary report for August shows that imports of cotton sheets and pillowcases continue running strong, up 93 percent and 77 percent, respectively, for the first eight-month period of 2005. Year-to-date imports of terry towels grew at a less feverish pace, up 35 percent.