EU gears up for protectionist rows

Rows over protectionism will be reignited as EU states decide whether to continue with anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Vietnamese shoes.

The European commission has twice attempted to settle the trade dispute with the Asian countries - but EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson says he is now ready to leave member states to settle the row.

“This is not really our problem,” a European commission official told theparliament.com.

“We have done our bit but at the end of the day it will be up to ministers to sort this.”

On Wednesday Mandelson will say the EU executive stands by its proposals for imposing anti-dumping duties on the cheap leather shoes.

In April Mandelson imposed interim tariffs of 19.4 per cent for China and 16.8 per cent for Vietnam.

But for the tariff to become more permanent, the commissioner will need the backing of EU governments.

The levy has already been opposed by most member states so unless a majority back it this time the preliminary duties will run out.

“We have until the end of September to get this backed by member states,” a commission official explained. 

“The preliminary duty will expire on October 6 and we had planned definitive measures to come in on October 7.”

Mandelson insists he has done his best to reconcile differences between the protectionist and free-marketeer EU camps.

Analysts predict that the commission’s decision to stick by its proposal means protectionist countries such as Italy, France and Spain will now have to attempt to win over converts to their cause.

But they will face stiff opposition from the so-called “northern liberals” including Britain, Denmark, Germany and Sweden.

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