More than half the EU's member states voted yesterday to end emergency import duties against shoes from China and Vietnam, complicating a looming decision for Peter Mandelson, European trade commissioner.

Officials familiar with the discussions said that 15 countries voted against renewing the so-called “anti-dumping” duties, which were imposed in 2006, with only 12 in favour. The vote is non-binding but suggests that opinion may have shifted against imposing duties on imports that make consumer goods more expensive, particularly at a time of high inflation.

A spokesman for Mr Mandelson declined to comment on the vote. The trade commissioner will have to decide by October 4 whether to extend the measures, which impose duties of 16.5 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes.