Representatives of the 27 member states in the EU’s anti-dumping committee were expected to decide, on 19 November, whether or not to extend anti-dumping measures the EU imposed on shoes from China and Vietnam, which expire at the end of the year. The 15-month extension envisaged by the European Commission flies in the face of reticence from several countries and the European commerce sector. If it is supported by a majority of member states, the Commission will make a formal proposal at the end of November, to be approved by the European Council in order for it to come into effect at the start of 2010 (see Europolitics3835).

The duty of 16.5% on Chinese shoes and 10% on Vietnamese ones were put in place in October 2006 for two years following an investigation into state support in this industry, which showed unfair competition. It was then extended until the end of 2009, to give the Commission time to examine the subject anew.

Ahead of this decision, EuroCommerce has reiterated its opposition to this measure. “After 15 years of protectionism in the footwear sector, Europe has suffered long enough. Anti-dumping does not benefit the industry, damages trade and increases costs for consumers. European business should be freed from these duties in January 2010,” said Xavier Durieu, secretary-general of EuroCommerce. “We are not against trade defence per se but in the footwear case, the measures are neither justified nor working. Exports from China and Vietnam have simply been replaced by imports from other countries and production has not returned to Europe. There is no evidence that the measures have saved one single job,” added Durieu.