Wednesday 21 March 2012

USA sets tax for Chinese solar imports

The United States is set to put a tariff on solar panels made in China when imported to America. Chinese firms exporting to the USA could now face a tariff of between 2.9% and 4.73%, according to reports.

The US Department of Commerce set the tariff because it is concerned Chinese solar panels might be benefiting from what some have dubbed "unfair" subsidies from the Chinese government which puts them at an advantage over American manufacturers.

The tariff will reportedly be levied depending on which firm has made the panels.

American solar firms welcomed the trade ruling.

Gordon Brinser, president of US manufacturer SolarWorld Industries America which has been campaigning for anti-subsidy action against the Chinese industry, said yesterday: "We commend the Department of Commerce for its preliminary decision, which is the first step in a process that will roll out over the next several months.

"If fair international trade can be re-established, the solar-pioneering US industry will once again compete on legitimate market factors such as product performance, production efficiency and unsubsidised pricing."

The US International Trade Administration has also been investigating whether Chinese firms are 'dumping' solar panels in the States at below cost price. It has yet to make its final ruling on this.