3:11:52 PM | 22/9/2008
A majority of EU countries want to immediately remove anti-dumping duties on leather-capped shoes imports from Vietnam and China that has been causing much controversy over the past two years.
EU trade experts gathered in Brussels Sept 17 to discuss whether or not to extend the tariffs of 10 per cent on Vietnam shoes and 16.5 per cent on China shoes that will expire this October 6.
EC spokesperson in charge of trade Peter Mandelson is planning to extend the tariffs in 15 months.
Representatives of Italy and some other EU countries have proposed the EC to extend the anti-dumping duties against shoe imports from the two Asian countries.
However, the proposal has encountered strong protest from many other EU members who have said that the tariffs are “form of protection and unfair”.
Earlier, a number of shoe associations and leading shoe makers in the world called on the EU to remove the above tariffs, saying that the measure does not only badly affect European consumers but also Europe’s modern footwear industry.
President of the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) said the EU’s extension of the anti-dumping duties would “sneer at” the EU’s anti-dumping policy and resurrect complicated controversy relating to this issue. (VNA)
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