Argentina increases restrictions on textile imports

According to Argentine media reports, Argentina’s General Administration of Customs issued new regulations to increase restrictions on textile imports to strengthen the protection of the country’s industry.
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​​ ​ Previously, Argentina’s customs had announced the “standard price” for imports in the middle of this month. If the imported product’s quotation at the customs price is lower than this standard, an investigation will be launched. The latest regulations show that textile categories have been added to this “standard price” list, including women’s stockings, cotton socks, wool socks, cotton yarn and other products.
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In order to strengthen the control over the origin of products, Argentina Customs divides the main import sources into two groups. South American countries such as Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia are listed as the first group, and Asian countries and regions are listed as the second group. , China is in the second group of lists. This means that if the price of textiles exported from China to Argentina is much lower than the price of similar products in other Asian countries and regions, Argentine Customs will also launch an investigation.
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The Argentine textile industry accuses some countries of dumping after entering the Argentine market through low-price customs declarations and other means. For example, the average unit price of skirts and socks exported from China to Argentina is around 3.7 US dollars and 14 cents. The cost of similar products from Argentina and other countries Prices range from $10 to $3.
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The Argentine Customs also stated that it will adjust the list of products subject to the “standard price” for imports at any time as needed in the future to protect the production and sales of domestic enterprises and help them survive the current crisis.
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​ ​ Some critics point out that the Argentine government’s strengthening of restrictions on imported products is a trade protectionist measure that will not only fail to promote domestic companies to strengthen their international competitiveness, but will also increase people’s consumption costs and aggravate the trend of rising prices.