European Union anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese leather shoes are fair because they prevent illegal price-cutting, dpa cited the bloc's executive as saying today. The move came after China announced that it would take the EU to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the measures. "Anti-dumping measures are not about protectionism, they are about fighting unfair trade, so we believe that in this respect this is the right action to be taking," European Commission spokesman John Clancy told journalists in Brussels. "We have taken note of China's request," Clancy said. The EU first imposed the tariffs, of up to 16.5 per cent of import price on Chinese shoes and 10 per cent on Vietnamese ones, in 2006, arguing that they were sold at unfair prices. The commission, which is the EU's executive and runs its trade policy, on December 2 recommended that the EU extend the tariffs by 15 months. EU member states approved that proposal three weeks later. "The removal of measures at this stage would lead to increased dumping and injury, and potentially halt the adjustment process of an industry which employs over 260,000 workers in the EU," the commission said at the time.
