Kevin Burke disappointed with EU footwear duty decision
30 Mar '06
3 min read
While provisional anti-dumping duties on some imported footwear products have been approved by the European Commission (EC), Kevin M Burke, President & CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), said the action would have been much worse but for a concerted lobbying and educational effort by AAFA, its members and other industry groups.
“AAFA is disappointed with the EC's decision to impose provisional dumping duties of 16.8 percent for European imports of leather shoes from Vietnam and 19.4 percent for European imports of leather shoes from China that are sold in European Union (EU) countries,” Burke said.
“But the extent of these duties could have been much more severe and comprehensive. I believe our message did get through. Unfortunately, however, the EC's action will still result in significantly higher costs for footwear companies and significantly higher prices for consumers, without saving a single job."
Burke expressed appreciation to AAFA member companies that worked against the antidumping duties.
Burke also thanked the Foreign Trade Association (FTA), the Footwear Association of Importers and Retail Chains (FAIR), the Federation of European Sporting Goods Industries (FESI) and the European Branded Footwear Coalition (EBFC) as well as the European retailer and consumer advocacy communities and many forward-thinking EU member countries for their strong leadership and advocacy in opposition to the duties.
“AAFA's efforts, and those of all of our friends, colleagues and members, had a major impact on the level of duties that were eventually approved,” Burke explained. “The 'middle ground' approach cited by European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson also means that safety footwear, children's shoes and high-end athletic shoes are all exempted from these duties.”
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