EU to hike tariffs on shoes from China, Vietnam
Brussels: The European Union has proposed protective duties of up to nearly 20 percent on imports of leather shoes from China and Vietnam after it said it found evidence that the nations are unfairly dumping footwear on European markets.

If approved by EU nations, the tariffs will start at 4 per cent in April and increase to the highest levels over six months. Children's shoes and high-tech sports shoes will be exempted.

European shoe manufacturers have sought tough measures, but tariffs are opposed by retailers and importers who warn they will push up prices in the market place.

Provisional measures could take effect on April 7 for six months while the EU continues its investigations. They could then be extended for five years if the situation does not improve.

EU chief Peter Mandelson said he had initiated talks with China and Vietnam to resolve the footwear dispute, which comes after a major trade tussle last year over cheap Chinese clothing imports into the EU.

The EU has about 50 more investigations into Chinese goods ongoing — from frozen strawberries to recordable DVDs. One of the most high profile products, and the one most likely to affect European retailers and shoppers next is cheap plastic bags.
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China to increase gold production by 7 percent
Beijing: China will produce 240 tonnes of gold in 2006, a rise of 7.1 per cent from its record high production last year, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Spot gold hit a 25-year high of $574.6 per ounce on Feb. 2, but fell to about $548.75 by 0352 GMT on Friday.

The World Gold Council said consumer demand in mainland China rose 8.0 per cent to 253.1 tonnes in 2005 from a year earlier.
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MS posts online defence against EU charges
Brussels: Microsoft Corp has posted a response to European Union charges that said it was failing to comply with a 2004 antitrust ruling.

Microsoft spokesman Jack Evans said the company decided to release the non-confidential version of the report because it feels that the entire regulatory process has not been transparent enough.

The document outlines the ways in which Microsoft argues that EU regulators have changed or not been clear about the expectations they have for the software giant, he said.

On December 22, the EU claimed it had given Microsoft every opportunity to comply with its obligations but had been left with no alternative to formal charges.

Microsoft is taking an increasingly critical tone in its dealings with the EU. Evans said the company believes it must highlight these issues publicly.
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