Anti-dumping decision lacks transparency, says China
The Chinese government has asked the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to intervene against the European Union’s anti-dumping duties imposed on Chinese leather shoes.
"The Chinese Government has sent a letter through its WTO mission requesting the set-up of a panel concerning the EU anti-dumping action on shoe imports from China," the commerce ministry in Beijing said.
"Part of the EU's anti-dumping laws discriminate against China and the EU anti-dumping probes and ruling over China-made leather shoes lack fairness and transparency.
"There is no damage done to the EU shoe industry. Extending the anti-dumping measures would not benefit the EU shoe industry. Rather it will only hurt the interests of consumers in the EU."
At the end of 2009, the EU extended for 15 months a 16.5% duty on imports if Chinese shoes with leather uppers. The duty was first introduced in October 2006.
"We are determined to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms and hope the EU will pay attention to China's concerns and restore the free trade of leather shoes at an early date," the ministry said.
However, a European Commission spokesperson responded by saying that: “The European Commission strongly rejects China's claim made today [April 9] that the EU's anti-dumping measures against certain footwear from China are not in line with the EU's WTO obligations."
