BRC Brussels Director: 'shoe import duties are wrong in principal'
15 Sep '06
2 min read
Alisdair Gray - Director, BRC in Brussels
With the EU refusing to abandon proposals to add import taxes to shoes from China and Vietnam British retailers are urging the UK government to stand firm in its opposition.
UK retailers have consistently opposed duties saying they would hit low income families and wipe out retailers', already modest, margins.
Last month 14 member states, including the UK, registered their intention to vote against the measure but the EU refused to accept it was dead and continued wheeling and dealing.
Now they are expected to hold an extraordinary meeting of member states' trade experts on Monday (18 September 2006) at which there would be a vote on a compromise. It would see duties imposed for the next 12 months, rather than five years, with an evaluation of their effect before any extension.
Reacting to the latest development British Retail Consortium Brussels Director Alisdair Gray said: "This should not be about compromise terms, arm twisting or dubious back room deals. Nothing will be known after a year of import taxes that isn't known now. Shoe import duties are wrong in principal.”
"A 16.5 per cent cost hike would have a serious impact on low income families and retailers already struggling with tight margins, but this is also about the image and future direction of the EU.”
"Does it believe in free trade and allowing consumers the full benefits of global markets or protectionism and the vested interests of a small number of uncompetitive European producers?”
marketing@alchempro.com
