China ‘concerned’ over US solar ruling

BEIJING - Agence France-Presse

Workers work at a solar module workshop in the province of Jiangsu. Several Chinese solar panel producers have rejected anti-dumping complaints by US manufacturers. AP photo

China said it was “deeply concerned” after a US trade panel ruled that Chinese companies have harmed the US solar panel industry by selling products at unfairly cheap prices.

The U.S. International Trade Commission voted unanimously on Oc. 2 that there was a “reasonable indication” that Chinese solar cell and panel imports have harmed or threatened to harm the U.S. industry.

“China is deeply concerned about the decision which does not tally with facts and highlights the United States’ strong tendency for trade protectionism,” the commerce ministry said in a statement late Oc. 3.
It warned the ruling, which allows the U.S. Commerce Department to continue its probe into complaints by U.S. solar firms that China was dumping solar cells and panels in the US market, could hurt trade ties between the two countries.

‘Stop abusing remedies’

“The United States should avoid abusing trade remedies which will affect bilateral trade and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and US enterprises in the new energy sector,” the statement said.

It added that China hoped the United States would “objectively analyze” the real reason U.S. companies lacked competitiveness.

The Commerce Department investigation, which could lead to retaliatory duties on Chinese imports, sparked tit-for-tat action from China, with Beijing announcing last month a probe into U.S. subsidies for renewable energy companies.

The United States will release its preliminary findings early next year.