US commerce official is upbeat over talks to resolve dispute
A trade war is unlikely between the United States and China over textile imports, and talks between the two countries over the issue are proceeding well, a senior US trade official said.
'The discussions [Commerce Secretary] Carlos Gutierrez had with Minister Bo Xilai were very good,' James Leonard, a deputy assistant secretary for textiles, apparel and consumer goods in the US Department of Commerce, said in Hong Kong.
'I don't think a trade war will happen,' said Mr Leonard, noting that textiles form 6 per cent of the mainland's trade volume. 'It will be unfortunate to have a confrontation over 6 per cent of your trade.'
Mr Gutierrez met Mr Bo, China's Minister of Commerce, and Vice-Premier Wu Yi in Beijing, with a significant part of their discussions devoted to textiles, Mr Leonard said.
According to state media, Ms Wu blasted the US officials for putting restrictions on Chinese textile imports, saying that they had had a severe impact on textile production.
