According to press reports, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson plans to impose duties on sports shoes before February 25. The reported decision follows the results of research carried out over a 12-month period following the end of WTO quotas on January 1, 2005, which unearthed evidence that China and Vietnam are subsidising their footwear industries, allowing them to sell shoes at prices below production costs, at an average import price of €8.50 per pair.

The planned duties will affect 8% of shoes sold in the European Union.