Italian shoe manufacturers call for backing on China anti-dumping status
29/10/2015
“We have to fully comprehend the possible consequences of this measure and harm it could to the Italian and European manufacturing industry, “ said Annarita Pilotti, chairman of Assocalzaturifici. “Our sector, in total accord with Confindustria, calls on the government to fight alongside us to ensure that our business enterprises are able to compete on a level playing field, in a global framework that is fair, competitive and transparent.
“China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001 marked a major milestone for world trade. Many of us had great expectations with regard to China, imagining that the country would become increasing integrated into the global economy and that it would prove easier to access to one of the world’s fastest growing markets. But these expectations still have to be fulfilled.”
As China’s status as a market economy has not been recognised by the WTO, the US, Europe and Japan have imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports, such as shoes, they deemed were unfairly cheap and could affect domestic manufacturing.
China has suggested it should automatically be granted Market Economy Status (MES) in December 2016.
“There a debate under way in Brussels to decide whether or not to formally recognise China as a market economy. It is therefore essential that we make our voice heard now, in the interest of all the many companies which, in the event of China being granted MES, would be in danger of going out of business.
“Granting China market economy status would make it much more difficult for the EU to defend its own industrial capacity, with potentially serious repercussions and a negative impact on companies and employment.”
Share this story:
