The decision was approved by European Union ambassadors in a meeting in Brussels on December 17, with 10 votes for, 13 against and 4 abstentions.

Ms Nga described the decision as ‘unfair’ and ‘biased’ as it does not reflect the truth of the shoe-making industry in Vietnam.

The decision totally goes against the fine development of the friendship and cooperative ties between Vietnam and the European Union, and disappoints the government, shoemakers and employees of Vietnam, said Ms Nga.

She affirmed that Vietnamese leather shoemakers do not dump their products, have no intention and are unable to pursue this policy in such a long time as they are small- and medium-sized enterprises and mostly carry out manufacturing contracts with foreign partners, including EU businesses.

While the world economy has not fully recovered yet, she said the EU decision will cause more difficulties for Vietnamese shoemakers and employees, and adversely affect the interests of a number of European shoemakers operating in Vietnam and European consumers.

Ms Nga asked EU member countries and the European Commission to reconsider this case in a fair and objective manner, in the interests of Vietnamese businesses and employees as well as of European businesses and people so that they would soon abolish the anti-dumping duties.