Vietnamese, Chinese Shoemakers Join Hands to Fight EU Duty Threat

Vietnamese and Chinese Shoemakers are cooperating in an unprecedented effort to fight the European Union's proposed double-digit tariffs on shoe imports.

 

A group comprising of more than 20 Vietnamese and Chinese shoemakers has hired the US law firm White & Case to represent their interests.

 

Early this month, eight Chinese shoemakers in southern China formed a coalition to fight the EU's anti-dumping probe.

 

The European Commission, finding evidence of dumping, is expected to recommend duties on imports of Chinese and Vietnamese shoes with leather uppers starting at 4 per cent in April and rising to a little under 20 per cent in the fall.

 

EU officials confirmed that they will submit their plans to EU member nations.

 

 People close to the European investigation maintain that the antidumping duties will affect just 8 per cent of all shoe imports into Europe. But others said it could affect many more. Shoes with leather uppers can include fashion shoes, as well as sports shoes with leather on them.

Thanh Nien Daily