Chirac Seeks To Overturn Eu Verdict On Dumping Duty

French President Jacques Chirac has demanded an emergency meeting of European Union (EU) ministers to discuss the EUs decision to drop anti-dumping duties on unbleached cotton fabric from India and five other countries.

Chirac is believed to have personally called European Commission president Jacques Santer several times to indicate that he would not drop the issue. Last Thursday, the EU voted 9-6 to drop duties on unbleached cotton fabric from India, China, Pakistan, Indo-nesia, Egypt and Turkey.

After losing the vote, the French suggested a compromise formula under which the duties would be reviewed after one year. However, on Friday, the French lost the vote on the compromise formula. Once again, the vote went 9-6 against France.

 

Elections to the French legislative assembly are on May 25. With every vote counting, Chirac is obviously playing to the gallery in a bid to win support from the French textile industry.

Observers say the row over the anti-dumping duty has blown up into a political battle between France, Britain and Germany.

The British, who have a large finishing industry which needs imported unbleached cotton, have led the battle against anti-dumping duties.

Last week, the Germans decided to back Britain despite a personal appeal from Chirac to German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

EU may slap dumping duty on Indian bed linen