EU plans anti-dumping duty on shoes

The European Union is set to impose an anti-dumping duty of nearly 20% on shoes from China and Vietnam on April 7, the Financial Times reported. EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said he has compelling evidence that shoe exporters have been selling below domestic prices by relying on clear state subsidies. The issue has split the EU between liberal northern European countries, many of which have long outsourced shoe production, and Mediterranean nations, home to many European shoemakers. China is the world's largest exporter of shoes and Asia already accounts for three-quarters of world footwear. European footwear production has fallen 19% between 1995 and 2003.