The European Commission adopted a proposal by Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on Wednesday for a 16.5 per cent duty on leather shoes from China and 10 per cent on those from India.

The European Commission said on its website it found "both dumping and injury to EU producers" in its investigation.

The proposal has been passed to EU members for a final vote within a month. If it is passed, it will be effective for five years.

EU Trade Spokesman Peter Power said: "The commission has fulfilled its obligations and its responsibilities and has brought forward a sound proposal. It is now for member states to debate their position among themselves."

The plan was rejected by a narrow margin in July at the advisory level.

An earlier "quota plus tariff" proposal by Mandelson was also rejected by EU members in July.

The European Union launched dumping charges against Chinese leather shoes last July amid concern that increasing footwear imports from China would flood its markets and hurt local shoemakers.

It is the largest market for China in both value and volume, with an export of US$670 million and providing 4 million jobs.

The European Union now implements a "phase-in" tariff system on China's leather shoes as a result of its preliminary ruling on the case.

1

2

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)