EU shoe tariffs decision is lamentable
Posted, December 22, 2009 @ 00:00
The EU's decision today to extend tariffs on shoe imports from China and Vietnam has been slammed by Robert Sturdy MEP, Conservative international trade spokesman in the European Parliament.
Ministers today overturned a decision by the EU's Anti-Dumping committee and extended a 16.5 percent and a 10 percent tariff on shoes from China and Vietnam respectively for another 15 months. The duties were introduced by Lord Mandelson in 2006 when he was trade commissioner.
Retailers have not taken a shine to the plans, which Clarks says have cost it around €800m in import costs since 2006.
Mr Sturdy said:
"Not a single European manufacturing job will be saved in the long run by these duties.
"This is a tax that will affect consumers and retailers in their pockets at a time when necessities such as shoes should be as cheap as possible.
"We cannot shut out cheap imports from Asia but we can reap the benefits from cheaper production thanks to outsourcing. Countries like Britain who have embraced outsourcing of basic production have found their fashion industries thrive as more design and finishing jobs are created at home.
"It seems ludicrous that the EU would want to artificially inflate the prices of shoes at a time when we are trying to encourage high street spending."