Why are so many Chinese clothes stored in European customs warehouses?

European Commission officials are meeting Chinese negotiators in Beijing for a third day in an effort to break the deadlock in a row over low-cost Chinese clothing imports. Millions of Chinese made garments are currently stranded in customs warehouses because they breached quota limits set by the European Union to protect local manufacturers. Q.S. reports from Shanghai:
     The two sides in the negotiations are believed to be working through detailed technical points that would keep the existing quota agreement intact, but still free up the millions of sweaters, trousers and bras stranded in European ports. The European Commission says it has to balance the demands of retailers who want cheap Chinese imports with those of manufacturers who fear for their jobs. Store owners and some member states are threatening legal action if their stock isn’t released soon. China’s state-owned media has accused the EU of protectionism and of damaging the rights of European consumers.