I have a pile of colourful shoes to choose from for every occasion and outfit, and I am sure I am not alone. So it is good news to hear that shoes will now be cheaper, thanks to the ending of the so-called ‘Shoes War’ which my MEP Robert Sturdy has campaigned against as Conservative International Trade spokesman in the European Parliament.

It appears that the punitive EU duties on the imports of shoes from China and Vietnam looks set to be dropped after shoemakers ended their bid to extend them today. The European Confederation of the Footwear Industry has bowed to pressure from EU governments to end the duties of 16.5 percent for China and 10 percent for Vietnam shoe imports.

Robert has welcomed the news as a victory for common sense and good news for hard-pressed consumers and retailers who have been heavily affected by the duties, which have been in place since 2006. He has campaigned for them to be lifted for several years, arguing that shoe manufacturers need to face up to the reality of globalisation and global supply chains, rather than attempt to protect against it.

Clarks shoes says the duties have cost it around €800m in import costs since 2006.

Robert said:

“Consumers and retailers are having to pay more for their shoes because of these duties and, at the current time, that is simply morally wrong. Protectionist tariffs such as these have harmed retailers whilst doing next to nothing to save jobs in Southern Europe.

“Many manufacturers have taken advantage of global supply chains to outsource basic production which in the long-term has led to higher-end jobs at home in design and finishing.

“This is a victory for common sense and good news for the High Street. The EU was harming trade relations with China, pushing up prices for consumers and squeezing already tight margins for retailers.”