The limits on Chinese-made bras and synthetic filament fabric used to make clothing, upholstery and other everyday products underline the growing friction in Sino-American trade ties and cast a shadow over President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States next week.

Beijing and Washington had hoped that Hu and US President George W Bush could bless a textiles pact as a positive development in a relationship strained by political issues such as Taiwan as well as by China's swelling trade surplus.

But officials from the two sides met only briefly on Thursday morning after two days of haggling in the Chinese capital failed to narrow differences.

"Despite our best efforts we were not able to reach a broader agreement. The United States remains optimistic that we can continue to make progress on the remaining issues," David Spooner, the head of the US negotiators, said in a statement.

Not long after, the Commerce Department in Washington announced the new curbs but said it would delay until Oct 1 a decision on whether to restrict imports of sweaters, robes, wool trousers and knit fabrics.