EU trade committee votes against extending shoe duties
EU trade committee votes against extending shoe duties
Brussels, 19th November 2009 — EU trade commissioner Cathy Ashton must not attempt to overrule today’s vote in an EU trade committee which would cause the price of shoes from China and Vietnam to fall, Robert Sturdy MEP, trade spokesman for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, said today.
The EU’s anti-dumping committee voted by 15 votes to 12 against extending a 16.5 percent and a 10 percent tariff on shoes from China and Vietnam respectively, for another 15 months.
The duties, which were introduced by Lord Mandelson in 2006 when he was trade commissioner, have had a detrimental effect on consumers and retailers across Europe. For example, Clarks Shoes says they have cost it around €800m in import costs since 2006.
However, the vote could now signal the end of the duties so long as the trade commissioner does not intervene to overrule it and force another vote in the Council of Ministers.
Mr Sturdy said:
“These import duties are a tax on consumers and retailers that are intended to futilely protect southern European manufacturers from the effects of globalisation. It is wrong that people should be forced to pay more for their shoes in order to protect Mediterranean cobblers.
“Had the EU’s anti-dumping committee voted to extend the duties it would have been inevitable that commissioner Ashton would have endorsed their decision. Now that the representatives have decided to scrap them, she must also accept their will.
“British consumers will not thank Commissioner Ashton if she intervenes now to renew these taxes, which would undermine any resurgence in high street spending.”
ENDS
Contact: Robert on +32 228 45294
ECR Press Office: James Holtum on +32 473 861762
