Anti dumping on shoe imports: no further extension

EuroCommerce, BEUC and AEDT are delighted at the "no" from a majority of EU member states against a further extension of the antidumping duties on shoe imports from China and Vietnam. "Now we expect a clear signal from the Commission that the duties will expire on 8th October", said Secretary General of EuroCommerce, Xavier R. Durieu. "We need clarity as soon as possible. Three weeks before the foreseen expiry, importers and retailers are still left in uncertainty as to the tariffs they will be charged at the border."

"After this strong signal against the extension of import taxes on footwear from China and Vietnam by the majority of the Member States, the Commission should refrain from initiating an expiry review. This would only continue an artificial and unjustified protection of some less competitive producers. Such measures have already demonstrated to just harm consumers and the large majority of modern EU companies that invest in design, innovation, services and create new jobs. They should not be further penalised and left in a situation of uncertainty. ", said Sjang van Hout, Chairman of AEDT Footwear.

"These duties have been in place already for too long time. They did not help anybody. Consumers, who currently already face huge price increases, namely in the food and energy sector, have had to pay the bill for long enough now. There can only be one answer: stop the discussion on the expiry review and lift the antidumping measures on 8th October 2008", concluded Ms Goyens, BEUC Director General.