Germany calls for "conciliatory solution" to provisional AD PV duties

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Today in Brussels the EU anti-dumping Committee met to deliver its commentary on the EU Commission’s proposal to implement provisional AD duties on Chinese PV imports of between 37% and 68% as of June 6.

This EU anti-dumping Committee is composed by representatives of all 27 EU member states. Its role in this instance of the legal procedures is to offer non-binding advice to the EU commissioners on the PV trade case. The EU trade spokesperson John Clancy declined to reveal to pv magazine the outcome of today’s session. No statements were divulged on whether the majority of the member states were for or against the AD duties.

Last week, a source close to the EU Commission confirmed to pv magazine that EU trade chief Karel De Gucht is planning to impose the AD duties as an "emergency measure" lasting for six months, because "many of the companies might not be around by the time the 15-month investigation period ends in December."

On May 8, the EU Commission sent its working paper on these duties for consultation to the EU AD Committee. Today was the deadline for the Committee to submit its non-binding comments. Moreover, the advice delivered by the Committee will be taken into consideration, however, according to the anonymous EU source, the EU Commission will likely implement the provisional duties for six months.

According to EU's legal procedures, on June 6, when the EU Commission issues its provisional findings on this particular trade case, there will be three possible scenarios:

  • Impose provisional AD duties for six months
  • Continue investigation without provisional duties
  • Terminate investigation

The next crucial deadline is on December 5, when a decision will be made by the EU Council to implement or not final AD duties on Chinese solar imports for the next five years.

A conciliatory solution

In contrast, the German government is trying to hinder this and today has called for a "conciliatory solution" with China. The German Ministry of Economics and Technology is currently preparing alternative solutions to the conflict, a German government spokesperson told pv magazine.

Moreover, German Chancellor Merkel is set to meet with Chinese premier Li Keqiang on May 26. But it has not been revealed if this particular PV trade case will be on the agenda.

According to EU Commission's official figures, around 65% of all solar panels are produced in China. In addition, the EU is China's main export market, accounting for around 80% of all Chinese export sales, the EU Commission’s website states.

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