Chinese Solar-Panel Makers Filed Anti-Dumping Complaints, Seeking Duties on US, Korean Rivals
June 29th, 2012 | CaijingLeading Chinese solar-panel makers are seeking an anti-dumping and anti-subsidiary investigation on products made by U.S. and South Korea’ companies, Chinese media said, days after the U.S. and the Europe accused China of subsidizing its solar cell makers and telecom firms.
Companies including GCL-Pol, LDK Solar and Daqo New Energy have submitted applications to the Ministry Commerce, demanding an investigation into polysilicon imported from the United States and South Korea, the 21st Century Business Herald reported, quoting deputy secretary general of China’s solar-panel association Gao Hongling.
80 percent of Chinese solar-panel makers, subjected to the impact of cheaper imported polysilicon, have suspended production since last September, affecting more than 50 billion U.S. dollars of investment in the industry, the report said.
China has imported more than 34,000 tonnes of polysilicon in the first five months, public data showed. In May only, import grew 27.67 percent to nearly 8,000 tonnes, with the majority from U.S. and Korea.
The move came after the U.S. imposed preliminary duties of 31 percent to 250 percent on billions of dollars of Chinese-made solar panels and cells, and the Europe is reportedly mulling to launch investigations on Chinese solar panel makers.
In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Commerce said it has found additional subsidies benefiting Chinese producers of solar cells and modules.
As a result of June 25’s announcement, the new countervailing duty rates would increase to 3.44 percent on Wuxi Suntech and 5.81 percent on Trina Solar.