A trade dispute over tariffs on cheap Chinese shoes is brewing at the European Commission as Italian and Spanish footwear manufacturers prepare to fight for continued European cheap shoes against Far Eastern imports.
The Commission is considering an extension of anti-dumping duties put in place in 2006 to protect the European Union’s footwear manufacturers from import surges. The cheap shoes— a 16.5 per cent duty on Chinese shoes and a 10 per cent tariff on Vietnamese footwear — are strongly opposed by retailers and most EU member states, including Britain.
Lord Mandelson, in his former role as European Trade Commissioner, extended the tariffs in October last year for a further 12 months, pending a review of the market. The Commission must decide on October 22 whether to maintain the cheap shoes, which otherwise would be lifted in January.