The European Branded Footwear Coalition, representing many highly regarded European and global footwear brands, today warned of the detrimental impact of the current European anti-dumping investigation being conducted targeting leather footwear and the harm that the imposition of any anti-dumping measures would have on the European Union.

The EBFC members have raised serious concerns with the Commission regarding the scope of the investigation and how it is being conducted, including:

  • The case is overly broad and targets all leather footwear imported from China and Vietnam. Footwear for men, women and children of all quality levels would be affected by duties, regardless of style, quality or price.
  • The Commission has not appropriately narrowed the scope of the investigation to target specific footwear, if any, being improperly dumped in the EU market at artificially low prices.
  • The economic basis of the investigation is flawed and fails to consider even basic open market factors such as the impact of currency exchange rates.

  • EU footwear producers cannot supply all of the European demand for high quality leather footwear.

If anti-dumping measures are imposed, we can expect to see the following effects:

  • Prices of footwear for European consumers will rise substantially;
  • European consumer choice in high quality, fashionable footwear at competitive prices will be limited;
  • Higher prices and limited selection will cause sales of footwear to fall, injuring already strained EU retailers and related industries with consequent job losses in those sectors; and

  • Trade disruption to the EU Member States could occur similar to the problems recently experienced with apparel following the actions of the Commission.

Speaking on behalf of the EBFC, Mr. Richard O'Rourke, Vice President and General Manager of Europe for Timberland stated, “We have seen from the European Commission's mishandling of the apparel quota matter that establishing trade restrictions across EU Member States can have significant negative impact on retailers and consumers. Unfortunately, the current leather footwear investigation is improperly founded and has the potential to cause significant increases in footwear prices and to limit the styles of footwear that are available to the European consumer. Members of the EBFC have made significant investments in the EU footwear market and believe that all producers should price their products fairly and without the use of dumping or other prohibited unfair trade activities. However, the current investigation is so broadly framed that it cannot effectively target any actual unfair trade practices. We have grave concerns that the current investigation could have significant negative effects on European consumers and the economy and has little opportunity to enhance trade for European footwear manufacturers.”

Mr. O'Rourke continued, “The EBFC calls on the European Commission to promptly reconsider this controversial investigation and take immediate steps to limit the potential harm that this investigation could cause for European consumers. EBFC encourages Member States to scrutinize the merits of this investigation and voice their concern to the Commission.”

The European Branded Footwear Coalition is comprised of prominent European and global footwear companies that market high-quality footwear in the European Union including Clark's, ECCO, Timberland, Kenneth Cole, Caterpillar Footwear, Merrell, Rockport, Hush Puppies, Sebago, Teva, Ugg and Simple.