The negative knock-on of antidumping laws

Letter to HE. Mr. Antonis Paschalides

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism

Republic of Cyprus

Dear Mr Minister,

First of all, it is my pleasure to witness that much progress in economic and trade relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Cyprus have been made over the past recent years. The government of Vietnam always attaches much importance to and makes its utmost efforts to develop a multi-faceted relationship, especially economic and trade relations with the European Community, in which Republic of Cyprus is an important and active member.

The government of Vietnam highly appreciates precious assistance and supports given by the government of Cyprus directly through bilateral relations as well as contributions and supports through the European Community in the process of economic development and integration of Vietnam, particularly hunger eradication and poverty reduction programmes.

In the context of the global financial crisis, in which developing and export-oriented countries like Vietnam have been negatively and severely affected, the government of Vietnam highly appreciates the obvious and consistent position of the government of Cyprus as well as the European Community to support and pursue a policy of trade liberalisation; protest the resurgence of protectionism, especially abuses of trade defence instruments; and expand aid programs for developing and low-income countries, including Vietnam.

While having optimism on the positive developments in the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Cyprus, I am deeply concerned that Vietnamese footwear industry, an important industry that employs half a million workers, mostly female, has undergone the double hardship of antidumping duties and the recent removal from the 2009-2011 GSP scheme. The imposition of anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese footwear not only had a negative impact on the Vietnamese footwear producers and exporters, but it also did harms to legitimate interests of European investors and their partners in Vietnam, footwear importers, distributors, retailers in European markets, and particularly legitimate interests of millions of European consumers.

Once again, as I have mentioned before, the government of Vietnam protests the case and I can assure that Vietnamese footwear products have not been dumped and have not created any threat to the Republic of Cyprus or the EU footwear industry.

As you may know, while major European member countries the protested continuation of antidumping duty, the European Commission is currently conducting an expiry review which is expected to conclude in the coming days.

By writing this letter, within your noble responsibility and prestige, you are kindly requested to propose the EC to end the antidumping duties on Vietnam’s upper leather shoes.

I am sure that your support for Vietnam in this case will be the realistic act of the government of Cyprus for the favour of trade liberalisation policy and to protest the resurgence of protectionism. Moreover, your support will practically contribute to make more effect of development aid programmes, particularly hunger eradication and poverty reduction programmes granted for Vietnam by the European Community.

I am expecting a due support from you to my above-mention request and hope to receive your favorable response soon.

Vu Huy Hoang
Vietnam Minister of Industry and Trade

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