Proposals by the European Union (EU) to impose quotas on imports of Chinese-made leather shoes were retrogressive and a violation of world trade rules said the shoemakers on Monday in strong criticism of the move.

 

"Chinese footwear producers are extremely dissatisfied with and firmly object to the EU's plans", according to a complaint filed to the European Commission (EC) by an alliance of more than 150 Chinese shoemakers.

 

Under the proposed system the EU would levy normal duties on 140 million pairs of leather shoes each year from China and impose anti-dumping duties of 23 percent on imports beyond that level. Votes by EU member countries will decide on the proposals and the final result is expected to be announced before October 6.

 

Chinese officials have rejected the idea of a quota-based system saying it’s against current world trade rules and incompatible with the World Trade Organization (WTO) which China joined in 2001.

 

China has complained that the EU does not regard it as a market economy and that it has placed unreasonable blame for the losses of European footwear manufacturers on imports from China and Vietnam.

 

The new proposals would also levy 29.5 percent of anti-dumping duties on Vietnam-made leather shoes beyond their quota of 95 million pairs.

 

The Chinese shoemakers' alliance will continue legal preparation for the case and to support China's efforts in turning to the WTO's dispute-settlement body over the issue.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2006)