Quotas on international textile and clothing trade were finally
eliminated at the end of 2004 in accordance with the Agreement on
Textiles and Clothing (ATC). Since then, the attention of policy makers
has shifted to the question of import tariffs. Tariffs on imports of
textiles and clothing in major developed countries are high relative to
those levied on other industrial products. Significant reductions in
these tariffs would therefore open up opportunities for trade
expansion, which would be of particular benefit to developing
economies.
However, the potential for tariff reduction is hampered by the fact that
developed countries employ preferential tariff rates or duty-free access
to favour particular countries or regions as part of their trade
policies. A further complication is the use of origin rules which
restrict preferential treatment to garments made either from local
materials, or from materials made in the country or region granting
special treatment-such as the USA or the EU. To achieve a
comprehensive reduction in tariffs-and hence an expansion of
trade-a shared understanding and appreciation of the issues is
needed. The Doha Round of international trade talks provides a timely
forum for the discussion of such issues. | 
