The slow unravelling
December 31, 2004: Expiry of global quota agreement governing textile imports.
March 10, 2005: European textile and clothing industry formally requests the European Union to apply safeguard measures.
March 15: European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson tells a European parliamentary committee that 'safeguards would only be used as a last resort'.
April 6: US textile industry files safeguard petitions covering 14 categories of textiles and clothing
from China.
April 24: EU Trade Commission launches probe into nine categories of Chinese textile exports.
May 13: US imposes temporary quotas on three categories of clothing imports from China.
May 18: US announces it is imposing temporary safeguards on a further four categories.
June 11: EU and China sign agreement to cap growth on imports in 10 categories of textiles and clothing.
August 2: US adds another five categories to its investigation list and announces plans to hold consultations on seeking a broader agreement.
August 16: US and China hold talks in San Francisco.
August 24: EU announces limits reached in seven of the 10 categories covered by the agreement with China.
August 25: Chinese and EU trade officials hold talks in Beijing.
August 30: EU Commissioner urges member states to agree to unblock Chinese garments stuck at EU borders.
September 1: US-China talks end in Beijing without agreement, and US imposes restrictions on two additional textile categories.
