In order to protect the national leather and footwear industry, the Jordanian government has begun a legal process that could lead to temporary safeguard duties being imposed on imports of most footwear. The World Trade Organisation says Jordan has launched a formal investigation into what the Jordan Footwear and Leather Industries Association calls an ‘increase of imports which has caused serious injury to the domestic industry producing similar products’. Preliminary inquiries by Jordan’s National Production Protection Directorate concluded there was ‘an unexpected, significant increase [in imports] during 2001 to 2005.’ Should Jordan impose safeguard duties, only ski boots, cross-country ski and snowboard boots would be exempt.
