The European Commission is to extend emergency duties on imports of shoes from China and Vietnam even though a majority of European Union states have urged that they be lifted.

Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, said the “anti-dumping” duties imposed two years ago – levied against imports deemed to be priced unfairly low – would remain, pending a review. Officials said they would try to complete the review in half the usual 12- to 15-month period, raising the possibility that the duties could be lifted as early as spring.