SEIA Responds To Department Of Commerce Solar Tariff Decision

On July 25, 2014, the Department of Commerce announced its affirmative preliminary determinations in the anti-dumping duty (AD) investigations of imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from China and Taiwan. For the purpose of AD investigations, dumping occurs when a foreign comp any sells a product in the United States at less than its fair value.

According to a report released by Commerce, the AD law provides U.S. businesses and workers with a transparent and internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the market-distorting effects caused by injurious dumping of imports into the United States, establishing an opportunity to compete on a level playing field. Commerce will immediately impose antidumping duties ranging from 26.33 to 58.87% for most Chinese suppliers and 27.59 to 44.18% for Taiwanese producers, says the report.

Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) was quick to condemn the decision. Here is what he has to say on the matter:

“Enough is enough. The Department of Commerce continues to rely on an overly broad scope definition for subject imports from China, adversely impacting both American consumers and the vast majority of the U.S. solar industry. We strongly urge the U.S. and Chinese governments to ‘freeze the playing field’ and focus all efforts on finding a negotiated solution. This continued, unnecessary litigation has already done serious damage, with even more likely to result as the investigations proceed.”

“If there’s a silver lining, it’s the fact that the U.S. and Chinese governments, SolarWorld, and Chinese manufacturers now have a brief window of opportunity to move forward on settlement discussions. SEIA got the ball rolling in this direction first by proposing a negotiated solution and then bringing the parties together. Now it’s time to start bargaining in earnest,” Roach continues.

“A win-win settlement of the broader U.S.-China-Taiwan solar trade conflict is still achievable – as well as one for polysilicon. As the old saying goes, ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ Today, the parties are finally engaged and all sides seem committed to finding a negotiated solution. I am encouraging my U.S. and Chinese industry colleagues to roll-up our sleeves, work together, and find a deal that’s good for everyone,” he concludes.

SEIA will hold a webinar on July 29 at 1 p.m. EST to examine the impact of today’s Department of Commerce decisions on the U.S. solar industry.

Read more from Solar Power World on the trade disputes: