Bowles urges China action

News & Observer ^ | November 13, 2003 | ROB CHRISTENSEN

[JohnnyZ]

Chinese textile imports became a larger issue in the North Carolina Senate race Wednesday, as the Bush administration nears a decision on whether to issue trade sanctions against the Chinese government.

Democratic Senate candidate Erskine Bowles called on the administration to impose the "special safeguard" provision next week, and suggested that Republican Congressman Richard Burr had not been forceful in lobbying his White House ally.

Burr, the GOP Senate frontrunner, flew from Washington, D.C., on Air Force One to attend a fund-raiser with the president in Winston-Salem last week.

But Burr, one of more than 150 members of Congress to sign letters supporting the safeguard provision, said he expected the administration to impose new trade restrictions on Monday. "We have asked the administration to accept the safeguards and act on them, and I feel confident they will," Burr said.

The Commerce Department is expected to announce a decision Monday on whether to impose what is called a special China textile safeguard to restrict three categories of imports -- dressing gowns, knit fabrics and bras -- to 7.5 percent growth per year. The safeguards were part of a 1997 trade agreement in preparation for China's entrance into the World Trade Organization. The safeguards can be imposed when the U.S. determines that imports are disrupting the U.S. market.

The textile industry blames the widespread plant closings, in part, on a surge in Chinese imports. The industry says goods from China have increased from 9 percent of the U.S. textile market in 2001 to 53 percent in July for products not controlled by quotas. When many quotas expire in 2005, the industry predicts China will take over 75 percent of the entire market in the next two or three years.

"There is no question there is a surge of textiles and apparel coming in here from China that is not only disrupting our markets, but is putting a knife in the back of the textile industry," said Bowles, whose wife Crandall, is CEO of Springs Industries that employees 30,000 textile workers in the United States.

Burr responded that the trade agreement that opened the door to a flood of Chinese imports was negotiated during the Clinton administration, in which Bowles served as the president's chief of staff. Burr said he voted against the agreement.

[JohnnyZ]

Burr responded that the trade agreement that opened the door to a flood of Chinese imports was negotiated during the Clinton administration, in which Bowles served as the president's chief of staff. Burr said he voted against the agreement.

[JohnnyZ]

No doubt, but this is a family-friendly website, so try to keep it clean.

[y2k_free_radical]

rotflmao

[Republican Wildcat]

Bowles is running again? Good grief. I was hoping we were done with him.

[JohnnyZ]

Bowles is running again? Good grief. I was hoping we were done with him.

So were a lot of Democrats. He's a weaker nominee than golden boy Richard Moore, Bobby Etheridge, or even Marc Basnight would have been.

[Constitution Day]

Irksome Bowels Alert!

[billbears]

I really feel for Burr. I think he would be a good candidate and a conservative Senator for this state. God knows we need one. But the issue at hand is if NC will vote solidly enough Republican in the 2004 election to get Bush back in and help Burr win? Will those conservatives that were conned in 2002 to vote Republican forgive the RNC for their last foray into this state and vote for Burr?

[GatekeeperBookman]

Is this not Irksome Bowles, he who spurned the Klintoon mortgage loan request-or did he give them the down-stroke for the manse in NY?Wonder what the Klayman is up to have to toddle over & see...

[billbears]

You're right, I don't know many Republicans left that are conservative. And what will happen when Bowles wins? The RNC will complain that Burr was too conservative and that we need another middle of the line candidate for Senate. And North Carolina will continue its move to left of center.

[100%FEDUP]

Gee, not long ago Bowels thought giving China favored nation status was a great idea!

[Kuksool]

Apparently, Bowles thinks he can fool the Jessecrats again.

[Political Junkie Too]

How does Bowles feel about his buddy Clinton being the "spokes-model" for Chinese suits?

-PJ

[Lee'sGhost]

OK, OK, how about this one?

China forces Bowles movement.

[lizbet]

When I visited the gift shop for the Titanic exhibit in August or September, I saw a plate that I liked that is a replica of the plates that they used on the Titanic. I turned the plate over on the back and it had stated, "Made in China." I put the plate back and spoke to the clerk about it being made in China.

We need to revolt completely with our pocketbooks and say we will not buy any more things that are made in China!

[JohnnyZ]

And what will happen when Bowles wins? The RNC will complain that Burr was too conservative and that we need another middle of the line candidate for Senate. And North Carolina will continue its move to left of center.

Bill, that's just ridiculous. The only way Bowles would have a chance is because of trade issues. And if Burr lets Bowles beat him on trade, when Bowles has a record of shilling for Clinton and Burr has a record of standing up for America -- well, that would have to be a damn miserable campaign on Burr's part.

[billbears]

Johnny contrary to popular belief, at least around here, 180,000 people that are without jobs are going to want to blame someone. It's been stated by others here and from reports of the Bush visit to Winston Salem. They don't like Dole, and Bush isn't at the top of the list anymore either. I'm not saying Bowles is good by any means but if the economy doesn't turn around for North Carolina who do you think most people are going to blame? The 10th District has lost 40,000+ jobs since 2001. Textiles, tobacco, and furniture mostly and those people do vote

I'm sorry but I don't think Bush's coattails, if he has any left by this time next year, will be long enough for Burr to ride in on.

[JohnnyZ]

I'm sorry but I don't think Bush's coattails, if he has any left by this time next year, will be long enough for Burr to ride in on.

I'm not a big believer in coattails, and I don't think Burr needs 'em. The big turnout in the 'burbs for Bush will help him, though.

Why do you think Burr will get blamed for animosity on trade?

[billbears]

I don't think Burr will be blamed for the animosity outright but I think that the Republican party will, especially considering the year and a half of attacks and indifference towards businesses in this state by our current Republican Senator