European Union and Chinese trade officials have begun talks in Beijing to revise a trade agreement that has blocked tons of clothing from reaching European stores. The talks come just days before the United States and China hold similar discussions on the (36)________of Chinese textiles.
It has been only two months since European Union and Chinese trade officials agreed in Beijing to limit (37)________ Chinese textile exports to Europe. Both sides hailed that (38)________ solution as a breakthrough in trade relations, and the Chinese suggested it was an example for the United States to (39)________.
However, the quotas agreed to in June on Chinese (40)________, pants, bras and other textile categories have already been reached. European customs officials have therefore (41)________the import of millions of dollars worth of these items, (42)________ some European retailers short of goods.
Anja Lorcher is a trade policy adviser at the Foreign Trade Association, a Brussels-based retail organization (43)________in foreign trade issues. She says (44)________________________, whose business will now suffer as their goods lay beyond reach. "
They have been paid for. (45)________________________," she said. "Which will not be possible if nothing happens this week. "
China would also like to see more of its exports on European shelves. (46)________________________.