US to launch anti-dumping probe of photovoltaic products from China

The US government will soon launch an investigation to find out whether Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers have gained unfair advantages while importing crystalline silicon photovoltaic products into the country and damaging the domestic solar industry.

A US trade panel today approved an anti-dumping investigation on crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from China and Taiwan, a move that will allow the US Department of Commerce to set preliminary duties.

As a result of the US International Trade Commission (ITC) vote, the Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of these products, and determine whether to impose preliminary countervailing and antidumping duties.

The investigations are in response to the petition filed by Oregon-based SolarWorld Industries America, which alleged that Chinese suppliers were evading duties by assembling modules from cells manufactured in third countries, which allows them to sell below production costs in the US market.

It also alleged that Chinese producers and exporters also received "improper" government subsidies.

SolarWorld is urging ITC and the Department of Commerce to "close a loophole in trade remedies issued a year ago, which allows Chinese producers to evade duties averaging about 31 per cent by assembling modules from cells manufactured in third countries."

The crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from China under investigation are estimated to be around $2.1 billion in 2012.