Shoemakers stay calm at anti-dumping duties
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-08 09:40
Disappointed and dissatisfied as they are, Chinese shoemakers have stayed
calm as the European Union (EU)'s two-year anti-dumping duty on China-made
leather shoes took effect on Saturday.
Under the EU's new policy, European shoe importers will pay a 16.5 percent
tariff on Chinese-made leather shoes and 10 percent on shoes made in Vietnam.
Children's shoes, which were not covered by the provisional anti-dumping
duties introduced since April 7, are now subject to the definitive duties.
According to EU figures, China exported 1.25 billion pairs of shoes to Europe
in 2005, however the exports may drop 10 percent after the introduction of the
levy, members of the industry have said.
"We're not surprised at the anti-dumping duty levy at all. After all, it's
not the first time," said Xu Hongzhen, vice manager-general of the Wenzhou-based
Jierda Shoes-making Com., Ltd., after a grand party held by the company to
celebrate the traditional Moon Festival on Friday night.
In April, the EU imposed six-month tariffs of 19.4 percent on leather shoes
from China and 16.8 percent on those from Vietnam.
"Ever since then, I know a long-term punitive duty will
come sooner or later, though it is extremely unwise for EU to do so," said Xu.
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