On November 19th, members of Anti-dumping Advisory Committee of European Commission discussed and voted on the Sunset Review of Anti-dumping Duties on Leather Shoes from China. And 15 members, over half of all members, opposed the extension of the anti-dumping measures. European Union (EU) is to make the final decision no later than January of 2011. An official from Fair Trade Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce stated that the Chinese government would welcome it and follow its development. As the majority of members hope to terminate anti-dumping measures, it reflects that insightful people of EU support free trade and reject trade protectionism. The Chinese Government urges the European Commission to follow the trend and submit to the European Council the correct bill on terminating anti-dumping measures.

EU decided on October 5th, 2006 to levy anti-dumping duties up to 16.5 percent (9.7 percent for one enterprise) on imports of Chinese leather shoes. The measures would last two years. On October 3rd, 2008, despite opposition of the majority of its members, European Commission launched the sunset review during which the anti-dumping measures will be continued. And the European Commission made the bill on October 13th, 2009 to extend the anti-dumping measures by 15 months which was rejected by the Anti-dumping Advisory Committee on November 19th. The Council of European Union will make the final decision on the issue soon.

Source:MOFCOM