Aderholt Announces the Further Consideration of Renewal of Sock Safeguards

August 2, 2005

ADERHOLT ANNOUNCES THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF RENEWAL OF SOCK SAFEGUARDS

"The renewal of these sock safeguards will be another step towards leveling the playing field for the workers in our area," said Congressman Aderholt.

WASHINGTON, DC -- August 2, 2005 -- Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today announced that the domestic sock industry's petition to renew special textile safeguards, seeking extended protection against surging sock imports from China, has been accepted by the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA). The request will now be further considered, a necessary step toward implementation. As he has made clear to the Administration, Congressman Aderholt strongly supports the extension of the sock safeguards, which are currently set to expire in October 2005.

"I am pleased that the Administration has taken this all important step to extending the safeguard quota on sock imports from China. This was a major part of my recent discussions with the Administration because China's predatory trade practices are one of the major threats our sock industry faces. I will continue to work with the Administration to make sure we move forward in protecting domestic manufacturers from predatory Chinese trade practices," said Congressman Aderholt.

Chinese sock imports increased from 5.8 million dozen pair in 2002, to 22 million dozen pair in 2003, an annual growth rate of over 370 %. The current sock safeguard limits Chinese sock imports to an orderly 7.5% annual growth rate. The petition recently submitted and accepted requests an extension of this limit on annual growth rate.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/al04_aderholt/PR050805CITASockSaferguards.html