As previously reported (http://sustainability-counsel.com/2011/09/30/new-front-opening-on-solar-panel-imports/), in early October a group of U.S. solar panel manufacturers initiated an international trade case against imports of Chinese crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules, alleging they were subsidized by the Chinese government and/or sold below fair value – or “dumped,” in international trade law parlance. On Dec. 2, the U.S. International Trade Commission made a preliminary determination, on a 6-0 vote, that there is a “reasonable indication” of material injury to a U.S. industry from the Chinese imports. (See http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2011/er1202jj1.htm.)
This decision clears the way for the next stage of the case, in which the Commerce Department will consider whether subsidies or dumping have occurred, and if so, how large they are. The Commerce Department is expected to announce its preliminary findings on these issues by March 22, 2012.
The case has generated strong reactions, both from the petitioners, SolarWorld Industries America, opponents within the U.S. domestic industry, and the Chinese government, which denies any wrongdoing by its industry and has said it will begin an investigation of subsidies received by U.S. solar, wind, and hydropower projects from several states. In another recent development, fifty-nine Democratic Senators and House Members expressed their support for the case in a December 2 letter to President Obama (http://www.americansolarmanufacturing.org/news-releases/12-2-11-casm-congressional-letter.htm). Stay tuned for more developments…..
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