4:04:27 PM | 11/9/2008
The European Union (E.U.) said it will extend anti-dumping tariffs on shoe imports from Vietnam and China in 2009.
The E.U. has adopted anti-dumping measures since 2006 with an aim to cope with massive shoe imports into the European market from the two Asian countries that the E.U. supposes “unfair competition” because these products enjoy state protection.
These measures were protested strongly in Asia and received support of just 13 out of 25 E.U. member countries when they were started.
Duties on shoes imported from Vietnam and China are 10 per cent and 16.5 per cent, respectively.
The tariffs are initially applied within two years and scheduled to expire in October 2008. However, according to the above source, the tariffs will be extended in 2009, or later.
E.U. trade experts will talk on this plan of the European Commission (E.C.) in a session this Sept 17, but have no right to protest.
E.C. spokesperson in charge of trade Peter Mandelson refused to comment on the possibility of extending the tariffs. However, the U.K.’s Sunday Times quoted a senior official who is working at Mandelson’s office as saying that the E.C. can consider the extension when the current tariffs expire next month. (VNA, Vietstock)
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