Implications of the Termination of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) for Latin America and the Caribbean

The impacts of quota elimination under the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) applicable since 1 January 2005 are already becoming apparent on Latin American and Caribbean countries' exports to the United States ; despite vastly different performances from country to country, the region as a whole experienced a reduction in market share, in contrast to a marked increase by China . In theory, if this rhythm of growth were to be sustained, the market share of United States imports from China in this sector could increase or even surpass the 50% mark in the next three years. The present issue of this Bulletin is based on the research paper "Implicancias del término del Acuerdo sobre los Textiles y el Vestuario (ATV) para América Latina y el Caribe" [Implications of the termination of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) for Latin America and the Caribbean], LC/L.2399-P of the series Comercio Internacional [International Trade], No 53, October 2005.