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Anti-dumping duties by EU draw criticism

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-10-06 08:28
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China said yesterday it was "dissatisfied" with the approval of anti-dumping duties on Chinese shoes by European Union (EU) countries.

The EU states agreed on Wednesday to impose tariffs on Chinese and Vietnamese shoe imports for two years "to prevent cheap imports from flooding local markets."

But Ministry of Commerce spokesman Chong Quan said the filing, the investigation and the ruling of the case has legal defects that run contrary to World Trade Organization rules and the EU's own anti-dumping laws.

"The latest EU anti-dumping measures against Chinese shoe imports lack legal and factual basis and will damage the legitimate rights of Chinese shoe enterprises," Chong said.

"Chinese enterprises and the shoe-making industry are dissatisfied with the EU decision."

Chong added that China would monitor and assess the situation, and reserve the right to take responsive measures.

From tomorrow, the EU will levy an extra charge of 16.5 per cent for shoes from China and 10 per cent from Viet Nam. Eleven per cent of the shoes sold in Europe, including children's footwear, are from those two countries.

The European Commission said the ruling could add 1.40 euros (US$1.80) to the price of Chinese shoes, whose average retail price is 35 euros (US$44.80), if importers and retailers pass the increase on to customers.

European business and consumer groups criticized the EU's decision, saying it will harm both consumers and business.

"This is a sad day for Europe," said a joint statement from EuroCommerce and the European Consumers' Organization, two organizations that represent European retail, wholesale and international trade sectors and consumers.

"The decision to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Vietnamese shoes is anti-consumer, anti-trade and anti-competitive.

"Despite best efforts and an extremely competitive retail market in the EU, no company can digest the new duties without increasing prices in the shops."

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