US Shoemakers, European Importers Oppose EU Tariffs

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) on February 22 joined European shoe importers and retailers in opposing a possible imposition of anti-dumping tariffs on shoe imports from Vietnam and China.

 

The AAFA has urged the European Union (EU) to carefully consider the overall economic impact on the European economy.

 

“Imposing duties on European shoe imports, which account for 80 per cent of footwear sold in Europe, would be “devastating” to European consumers and workers,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M.Burke. 

 

The EU’s provisional decision to impose anti-dumping tariffs has faced opposition from European shoe retailers and importers. Brussels-based Footwear Association Importers Retailchains, the European Branded Footwear Coalition and the Federation of European Sporting Goods Industries have filed formal complaints to the EC. Opposition was also raised by FESI, which includes Adidas, Nike, Puma, and many other athletic brands.

 

Clarks, one of the biggest shoemakers in the UK, said that the duties of 20 per cent are unacceptable and they would cause retail shoe prices in the market to increase.

 

The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark have also formally opposed the tariffs. Thomas Ostros, Swedish Trade Minister, has described the European Commission (EC)'s proposal to introduce anti-dumping duties of almost 20 percent on leather shoes from Vietnam and China as "another sign of European protectionism."

 

The EC opened an investigation into leather footwear imports from Vietnam and China last July after EU producers expressed serious concern over the market being flooded by shoes from the two Asian countries.

 

Vietnam and China export an estimated US$4 billion worth shoes annually to the EU, supplying over 60 per cent of its imports.