Mexico: Shoe industry calls for action on Chinese imports

21/12/2011 12:00 - 353 Views

Mexico's shoe industry has launched a renewed plea for the government to help quash the rising tide of below-cost Chinese footwear enter the country.

Martin Duenas, president of the country's footwear industry association (CICEG), said: "China continues to threaten the stability of our industry."

Mexico last week ended its transitional-duty regime for Chinese imports, in line with WTO demands, leaving most footwear free to enter the country at a 30% import duty, lower than what other trading partners pay to bring merchandise to Mexico.

Duenas said Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari has pledged Mexico's government will seek to sign an agreement with China to end the uncontrolled dumping of footwear at prices well below their cost.

Duenas said China continues to subsidise its footwear industry - something that doesn't happen in Mexico.

"They've told us they will seek an agreement with the Chinese but that if they can't they will launch anti-dumping measures" in the first quarter of 2012, Duenas added.

CICEG represents Mexico's largest shoe-manufacturing cluster in the states of Guanajuato and Jalisco.

By Ivan Castano Freeman

Source: just-style.com