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US sets anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar imports
July 26, 2014, 1:43 am

China's Trina Solar could be facing total import duties of 30 per cent and Suntech Power nearly 50 per cent [Xinhua]

China’s Trina Solar could be facing total import duties of 30 per cent and Suntech Power nearly 50 per cent [Xinhua]

The US Commerce Department on Friday set preliminary dumping margins on imported photovoltaic products from China, signaling that it may impose punitive duties on the products. China’s Trina Solar could be facing total import duties of 30 per cent and Suntech Power nearly 50 per cent.

China’s Ministry of Commerce has reiterated its calls for the US “to objectively and fairly handle ongoing solar trade disputes, honor its commitment against protectionism and work with China to maintain a free, open and just trade environment”.

The US department made its preliminary affirmative determination that crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from Chinese mainland and Taiwan had been sold in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 26.33 per cent to 165.04 per cent, and 27.59 per cent to 44.18 per cent, respectively.

Punitive duties would be imposed after both the Commerce Department and the US International Trade Commission (ITC) made affirmative final rulings, which are scheduled on Dec. 15, 2014 and Jan. 29, 2015, respectively.

The investigations are in response to a petition filed by SolarWorld Industries America Inc. based in Oregon, which alleged that crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from China were sold below the fair value of the products in the US market, while Chinese producers and exporters also received “improper” government subsidies.

It was the second US investigation against Chinese photovoltaic products after a similar one in 2011. The United States is also challenging India’s solar program at the World Trade Organization.

 

Source: Agencies