MEPs set to back import duties on Asian shoes

The European Commission is likely to receive a ringing endorsement from the European Parliament for its proposals for duties on imports of cheap leather shoes from China and Vietnam. The issue will be discussed in a plenary session of Parliament next week (11 October).

The controversial measure was adopted yesterday (4 October) by a majority of member states after weeks of heated debate. A free-market coalition led by Sweden (in a majority of 14 when proposals were first made in August) eventually lost out to protectionists such as Italy and France after the latter proposed that the period of application for the measure be reduced from five to two years. Italy had mounted an intensive high-level lobbying campaign aimed at winning over opponents.

"Of course we are disappointed, but there were indications of this before. It does not come as a shock," said one Swedish diplomat. The abstention of Cyprus, Malta, Austria and Slovenia swung the vote in favour of the measure, which comes into force tomorrow (6 October). Duties of 16.5% and 10% will now be imposed on shoes from China and Vietnam respectively.

The Parliament’s committee on international trade welcomed the measure. "I think this is good news," said Spanish Socialist MEP Enrique Barón Crespo, who chairs the committee. "We think the Commission has taken a sound decision. We have to keep borders open, but the Commission was right to introduce this measure."

A resolution approving the measure will be adopted in Parliament next week. "When we look at figures, we see that there is an invasion," said Barón Crespo. "Parliament will support this measure by a vast majority. We had a debate on this yesterday [3 October] and many members expressed concerns not on establishing trade barriers, but on allowing unfair trade competition."

Peter Mandelson, the trade commissioner, who yesterday presented a review of EU trade policy, which would include a rethink on trade defence instruments, said: "The decision taken today, which was a necessary one as it follows the investigation [we] made, actually reduces the period of application of the measure… That would indicate a clear line of thinking among member states. It’s certainly not a protectionist line of thinking."

Questioned on the irony of a UK commissioner supporting an ostensibly protectionist measure, Mandelson said: "I make no apology for championing European interests." He defended his actions, saying that the ultimate aim of the Commission was "to promote free trade, not to fight low-cost competitors".

The European Commission is likely to receive a ringing endorsement from the European Parliament for its proposals for duties on imports of cheap leather shoes from China and Vietnam. The issue will be discussed in a plenary session of Parliament next week (11 October).

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