European footwear importers are criticizing strongly a proposal now on the table of the 25 member governments of the European Union to assess anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes for only two-three years. Both the European Sporting Goods Industry Federation (FESI) and the Footwear Association of Importers and Retail Chains (FAIR) say that a decision in favor of such a political solution would make it impossible for their members to plan their business ahead, as the period covered by the measures would likely be extended for an additional 15-18 months to allow a new investigation into the anti-dumping charges.
No action was taken last Wednesday at the weekly meeting in Brussels of COREPER, the committee of the permanent representatives of the 25 member governments. The action will probably take place at tomorrow’s meeting and will be endorsed by the Council of Ministers scheduled for Oct. 5, the day before the present provisional duties expire.
FAIR is particularly critical of the “political circus” surrounding the anti-dumping debate, charging that certain member states are being pushed to abandon their previous declared position through bullying or bribes. We heard in the last few days that Cyprus and one or two Baltic states may vote in favor of the anti-dumping measures, changing their previous attitude. On the other hand, we hear that the UK government, which had previously indicated possible backing for the Italian position in return for concessions on the maximum work week, has returned to the field of the opponents (more in the last Shoe Intelligence).
FAIR says it is investigating charges that some European producers may have received illegal state aid in the amount of €38 million over the past few years and that it is considering a formal complaint. It points out that the European Commission has not yet responded to a complaint filed last March 31, charging that it had not respected certain procedures in its anti-dumping investigations.
