This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8426432.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
EU extends Chinese shoe tariffs EU extends Chinese shoe tariffs
(about 2 hours later)
The European Union has voted to extend tariffs on shoes from China and Vietnam in order to help European producers compete with cheaper imports.The European Union has voted to extend tariffs on shoes from China and Vietnam in order to help European producers compete with cheaper imports.
The tariffs, which were first introduced in 2006, will last for a further 15 months.The tariffs, which were first introduced in 2006, will last for a further 15 months.
A number of countries in the EU were opposed to the extension.A number of countries in the EU were opposed to the extension.
China is involved in a number of trade disputes, and on Monday lost an appeal to the World Trade Organization regarding US film and music imports.China is involved in a number of trade disputes, and on Monday lost an appeal to the World Trade Organization regarding US film and music imports.
The organisation ruled in August that China's policy of allowing the goods to be imported only by state-run firms broke global trade rules.The organisation ruled in August that China's policy of allowing the goods to be imported only by state-run firms broke global trade rules.
'Inflated prices'
The tariffs on Chinese shoes will remain at 16.5%, and those on Vietnamese shoes will remain at 10%.The tariffs on Chinese shoes will remain at 16.5%, and those on Vietnamese shoes will remain at 10%.
While the extension will benefit EU shoemakers, it has proved unpopular among some retail groups in Europe. 'Inflated prices'
The decision to extend the tariffs was not unanimous.
UK Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "I am disappointed the EU has decided to extend these duties - they should have been allowed to end as originally agreed.
"A small majority of member states did not oppose the measures even though they are no longer justified."
He said that maintaining the duties "damages trade, harms the reputation of Europe and forces consumers to pay higher prices at a time when they can least afford it".
He also called on the EU to "turn its back on protectionism".
While the extension will benefit EU shoemakers, it has also proved unpopular among some retail groups in Europe.
"This will be a signal to failing companies around Europe that the Commission will step in and protect them from foreign competition," said the British Retail Consortium."This will be a signal to failing companies around Europe that the Commission will step in and protect them from foreign competition," said the British Retail Consortium.
"Consumers will have to keep paying inflated footwear prices.""Consumers will have to keep paying inflated footwear prices."