Both China and European companies yesterday said they might take legal action against what they described as the European Union's flawed and illegal decision to slap anti-dumping tariffs on Asian shoe imports.

The Chinese commerce ministry said: "The anti-dumping measures taken by the EU against Chinese leather shoes lack a legal basis and factual evidence and harm the rights of Chinese leather shoe manufacturers. The Chinese side will closely watch this issue and see how it develops and will maintain the right to take corresponding measures."