The European Commission, the EU executive body, on Wednesday adopted a proposal to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes.

The duties proposed by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson were 16.5 percent for Chinese imports and 10 percent for Vietnamese products.

The measure was the same as that rejected by member states in early August.

In July, they rejected Mandelson's first proposed definitive measure by introducing a deferred duty system that would allow 80 percent of Chinese and Vietnamese shoes to enter the EU free of any anti-dumping duties, with shoes entering above that allowance being subject to higher tariffs.

Mandelson came up with the latest plan in late July, which again was rejected by member states.

The commission said on Wednesday that it would try its luck, as the proposal was rejected by a narrow margin in July at advisory level.

"It will now return to member states for a legally-binding vote. Member States may be asked to explain the legal rationale for their votes," it added.

The measure could last five years if approved.

The commission introduced provisional anti-dumping duties against Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes in April.

The provisional measure expires on Oct. 6. If member states cannot agree on a definitive measure, no punitive duties will be imposed.

Source: Xinhua