Beijing on Wednesday imposed anti-dumping duties on European steel products, accusing the European Union of protectionism after its decision to extend tariffs on shoes made in China and Vietnam. The Ministry of Commerce said it was "extremely dissatisfied" with the EU's move to extend import duties on shoes for 15 months and shortly afterward announced it was to levy duties on carbon steel fasteners, such as screws and washers, made by EU member states.
The anti-dumping duties, ranging from 16.8 to 24.6 per cent, are to be enforced as of December 28. China repeatedly warned the EU to scrap the tariffs on China-made shoes, which are controversial within the 27-member bloc as well. A Commerce Ministry spokesman in Beijing rejected dumping accusations and said China planned to bring the issue to the attention of the World Trade Organisation. Beijing argued that cheaply made shoes from China pose no direct competition to products made by European producers.