Textile industry safeguards fall short

Chinese imports will continue to flood the market ALAN PEAT THE SA textile industry is on the move with import safeguards against cheap Chinese exports – but it’s just about as effective as sticking a finger in a gaping hole in a dyke, according to Brian Brink, executive director of the Textile Federation. While some of the affected product categories have already had safeguard applications made, there is still a host of others which are as yet uncovered. “It’s an enormous task,” Brink told FTW, “although there is considerable work being done in putting together the other safeguards we’re applying for.” But, even when this is completed, it’s only a partial protection. “The safeguards would only cover about 50%-60% of the items affected by the cut-price Chinese competition,” said Brink. “One needs a bit of political will to take it further.” And it’s a problem which is increasing all the time. Things are not so rosy for the local textile industry, according to Brink. “These imports are still flooding into SA,” he said, “and it’s likely to get worse.” The reason for this is because the US and the European Union (EU) have now introduced extensive safeguards of their own. “And the dictated import quotas of these chosen categories are already full,” Brink added, “and further imports will be embargoed. “That leaves a whole host of Chinese exports looking for a home, and SA will be one of these.”