HELSINKI, Sept 11: Italy has raised the stakes in its campaign to hit Asian shoe imports with anti-dumping duties, with Prime Minister Romano Prodi personally lobbying other EU leaders to support the measures in a vote this week.

Italy is leading a push by EU shoe-producing countries for duties on leather shoes from China and Vietnam but which has so far been resisted by a majority of capitals in the bloc.

“The prime minister has spoken to some other leaders,” an Italian diplomat told Reuters, adding Prodi was following up on a letter sent recently by Italian Trade Minister Emma Bonino to EU capitals on the issue.

Escalation of the case to the top level of governments underscores how deep the rift is within the EU between countries that favour free trade, led by the Nordics, and those that want more protection for their industries from cheap Asian imports.

The issue of dumping has also been an irritant at an EU-Asia leaders’ summit in Helsinki that ended on Monday. China and Vietnam have denied dumping by their exporters.

“It's becoming very political,” said an EU diplomat, referring to Prodi's campaigning. “Italy is raising the stakes but so far it seems countries are sticking to their positions.”

Last month, 14 of the EU's 25 member states objected to a proposal from the bloc's executive Commission for anti-dumping duties of 16.5 per cent for leather shoes from China and 10 per cent for Vietnam.—Reuters