Brussels, 19/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - This is an important week for the Chinese textiles issue: two years after the “bra war”, as the textile crisis of summer 2005 came to be known, Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is to consult representatives of the textile sector, producers, importers and retailers, and member states to discuss the expiry of import growth caps on certain textile exports form China agreed in 2005 to temporarily limit imports of Chinese textiles into the Community market (see EUROPE 9411). Mr Mandelson, who has never hidden his reluctance to extend the system, will meet European textile importers on Friday, then, on Monday, will meet the European textile producers association Euratex. Textiles were on the agenda during the visit of a Commission DG Trade delegation to Beijing on Thursday 19 July, and will be discussed at a dinner of EU trade ministers in Brussels on Sunday evening. On Monday, Mr Mandelson is expected to tell producers that the quota system will not be extended, while assuring them that the Commission will carefully monitor developments in the textile trade with China in 2008. He is expected, too, to invite all stakeholders, importers, retailers and producers, to work with member states to ensure a smooth transition to the regime after quotas. A smooth transition on which the Commission and Chinese authorities have agreed to work hand in hand through a joint working party, the setting up of which was decided during the visit to Brussels of Chinese Trade Minister Bo Xilai on 12 June. (eh)