On September 17, the extension of anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Vietnamese footwear imports was voted upon by the 27 member countries of the EU and the results were overwhelming.
While 15 member including Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg voted against the extension of anti-dumping duties, only 12 countries voted in favor of the tax barrier. Although the outcome is still undecided, the voting trend brought immense relief to the Chinese shoes enterprises who regarded it as favorable news.
An official from Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the camp soliciting in favor of withdrawing anti-dumping measures has enlarged since 2006. The vote results are encouraging and can be hailed as a victory of free trade. Despite having no final binding, it reflects a tendency towards removal of the trade barriers.
In 2006, 12 of the 25 member states of the EU opposed anti-dumping duties, 9 were in favor and four abandoned or abstained from voting on the whole which is equivalent to an opposition in favor. The EU thereafter introduced a two-year anti-dumping duty policy.
However, on the current issue the decision on whether to extend import tariffs of 16.5 percent on Chinese leather shoes and 10 percent on Vietnamese footwear is still pending and will be finalized on October 4.
The recent data availed from the government shows an export trend of low volume but high value. In the first half of 2008, footwear exports from China amounted to 4.29 billion pairs fetching revenues amounting to US $13.458 billion with unit price standing at $3.14 per pair, representing a year on year decline of 2.45 percent and an increase of 12.51 percent and 15.34 percent respectively.
Even European retailers and sportswear companies joined hands on September 17 demanding the abolition of tariffs by the European Union.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - China
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