Textile and clothing imports from most GSP countries are eligible for a 20 per cent reduction on the full rate of duty.

The World Trade Organization estimated that once the quotas are lifted, China will be supplying half of the clothing imports to the United States.

So if clothing imports - from China, specifically - surge, the Americans can close the door again.

The limits on clothing imports, for example, would be phased out over 10 years.

Congress has been sensitized to the inflationary threat posed by, say, tighter quotas on clothing imports or reregulation of airlines.

On Wednesday, the United States said it would impose quotas on certain Chinese clothing imports to limit growth to 7.5 percent a year.

The United States has experienced a similar surge in clothing imports from China since the quotas ended, but its reaction has been stronger.

On 29 April, the Commission opened an investigation of nine categories of textiles and clothing imports.

Since the 1970's, the United States has used quotas to limit clothing imports from China.

A founding member of Glen Head Country Club and pioneer in clothing import.