China Challenges European Shoe Tariffs

The tariffs violate World Trade Organization regulations and the EU's own antidumping laws, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement late Thursday.

The Chinese government "reserves the right to take relevant measures," ministry spokesman Chong Quan said in the statement. He didn't say what steps Beijing might take.

EU ministers agreed Thursday to impose higher tariffs on Chinese and Vietnamese shoes for two years in order to prevent low-cost imports from flooding European markets.

Shoes from China will be charged an extra 16.5 percent duty. The tariffs replace higher, temporary duties in place since April.