US, China textile talks fail to yield any result

A second round of negotiations between China and the United States aimed at resolving a dispute over textile trade broke down Thursday, said a statement from the U.S. Embassy.

"Despite our best efforts we were not able to reach a broader agreement," U.S. negotiator David Spooner was quoted as saying. "We will be consulting with the Chinese over the next few days on the date and location of the next round," reports the AP.

According to Reuters, Natalie Hanson, of the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel, which opposes tough curbs on Chinese imports, said she was doubtful a deal could be struck this month.

"I think it's very clear that this is not going to be a quick thing to resolve. I think everyone does want an agreement. Both sides are in agreement on that," Hanson said.

"However, they are very far apart on the details and will need quite a bit more time to iron those things out."

U.S. and Chinese officials have met four times since May when Washington imposed emergency curbs, known as safeguards, to restrict a flood of Chinese imports triggered by the expiry of global textile quotas on January 1.

Negotiators had been eyeing a pact similar to one signed with the European Union in June that capped growth in 10 categories of textile products at 8 to 12.5 percent a year, instead of the lower 7.5 percent cap allowed by World Trade Organization rules.