European Union trade officials are expected to sink the boot into a proposed extension of anti-dumping duties on shoes imported from China.

Officials representing the 27 EU member states will meet in Brussels to discuss the proposal from the bloc's executive arm. They are pressing to extend the duties by another 15 months. Diplomats say that there are likely to be 15 or 16 countries opposing the plan by the commission.

The European Commission unveiled the anti-dumping duties of up to 16.5 percent on Chinese-imported shoes in October 2006. It said the measures aimed to protect European importers and retailers within the body.

In October 2008, the European Commission launched a review and extended the duties for another 15 months, instead of the usual five years. The decision needs the approval of more than half of the 27 member nations.

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