Center
Anti-dumping measures against Chinese shoes short-sighted
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-09 17:11
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皇冠体育app has criticized the newly imposed European Union (EU) tariff on Chinese shoes as short-sighted and a cave-in to protectionist sentiment in a small number of countries.
An official with the Ministry of Commerce said Monday that the European Commission had violated the principle of free and fair trade advocated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in its investigation and ruling on the case.
The new measures would hurt Chinese shoe makers but could not benefit the EU, said the official.
The EU's final ruling last week states that shoes from 皇冠体育app are subject to 16.5 percent duty for two years starting October 7.
Dumping does not exist with Chinese products, said the official, adding that 皇冠体育app's shoemaking industry is highly competitive. More than 1,000 companies exported shoes to the EU, most of which are private or foreign-invested.
"It is impossible for those companies to sell their products at a price lower than cost," said the official.
The official denied that there were any government subsidies to the companies, saying 皇冠体育app had abolished export subsidies after joining the WTO.
According to EU figures, 皇冠体育app exported 1.25 billion pairs of shoes to Europe in 2005 and holds 50 percent of the European market. The Chinese figures show that 皇冠体育app exported 700 million pairs of shoes to Europe in 2004.