The European Commission has proposed that European Union (EU) member states vote to extend anti-dumping duties on leather shoes imported from China and Vietnam for 15 months starting in January.

On November 19, a vote among the 27 EU member states went against a proposal to extend the duties, which are currently 16.5% on Chinese shoes and 10% on Vietnamese shoes. The duties have been in place since 2006 and were initially introduced for a two-year period. However, last autumn, after looking at new evidence compiled by footwear manufacturers' organisations, the EU agreed to a formal review and the duties remained in place.

The EC claims Chinese and Vietnamese manufacturers are still selling their products at artificially low prices in the European market. “This uncompetitive behaviour has continued to cause significant harm to European Union manufacturers, which are undertaking significant efforts to adjust their business models," it said in a statement.

It continued: "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."

In last month’s vote, 10 member states voted in favour of the extension, but 15 voted against, with two abstaining. It is now believed some members will change their votes when ministers at the European Council consider the issue on December 22.

However, while the commission has the power to propose the duties, the European Council must approve them.