Member states rebuff extension of shoe tariffs

April 04, 2020 / By mobanmarket

Member states rebuff extension of shoe tariffs

Officials from a majority of EU states oppose Commission proposal to extend anti-dumping tariffs on leather shoes from China and Vietnam.

Trade diplomats from the European Union’s member states today rejected a proposal by the European Commission to extend existing import duties on certain types of leather shoes produced in China and Vietnam.

The rebuff was delivered by trade diplomats on the EU’s anti-dumping committee, a consultative body. No formal vote took place, but a headcount suggested that 15 member states were against the extension and 12 in favour.

The result is in no way legally binding on the Commission, but it is a political signal to the Commission to adjust its proposal before seeking the approval of member states’ ministers.

A spokesman for Catherine Ashton, the European trade commissioner, said that “the Commission will now carefully look at all these opinions and concerns and will take them into account when preparing the final proposal for the Council”.

The anti-dumping tariffs – 16.5% in the case of China and 10% for Vietnam – were introduced in 2006 and will expire in January. The Commission had proposed extending the tariffs by 15 months.

Leather shoes

The tariffs apply only to leather shoes for adults. Children’s shoes and sports shoes were not affected.

In a statement, the European Footwear Alliance – a trade group of European footwear manufacturers –said that member states had “sent a clear signal that they understand the economic realities of the modern European footwear sector and do not want to extend the anti-dumping duties in these times of economic crisis”.

EuroCommerce, which represents retail and wholesale traders in Europe, said: “As shoes are essential items, this is a good day for all Europeans. Now we expect that today’s ‘No’ will be confirmed also at ministerial level.”

An EU source said that the tariffs had been effective in stabilising the market share of Chinese and Vietnamese shoes on the EU market at 40-45% since their introduction in 2006 by Peter Mandelson, the then European trade commissioner.

According to Commission figures, the anti-dumping duties added an average of €0.90-1.50 to the price of the average Chinese and Vietnamese pair of shoes (€45-50).

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