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SolarWorld vows to fight PV trade case loophole

If the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) declines to impose tariffs on photovoltaic modules made in China using cells manufactured in third countries, SolarWorld has said it will "immediately" seek separate action.

SolarWorld will not rest until it sees tariffs for all imports of Chinese photovoltaic modules into the US.

SolarWorld

Yesterday, October 10, the U.S. department of Commerce (Commerce) ruled in favor of the U.S. solar industry by concluding that Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers had sold solar cells at dumping prices in the U.S. and that they had received countervailable subsidies. A final determination by the ITC is expected on November 7.

While SolarWorld, and consortium the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), have applauded the move, they were "disappointed" by the fact Chinese manufacturers can avoid tariffs by using solar cells manufactured in third countries.

In a statement issued after the Commerce announcement yesterday, SolarWorld said, "If the ITC rules in favor of the domestic industry on Nov. 7, SolarWorld is resolved immediately to seek separate, enforcement actions from Commerce to impose duties on panels assembled in China from cells in third countries."

At the end of September, eight U.S. Congress members wrote to Commerce, also urging it to close the loophole. The members, led by Oregon Senator, Ron Wyden, stated that the "absurd" fact China’s photovoltaic manufactures can avoid tariffs by using third party cells appears to "undermine the intent of the petition", which was filed by CASM last October.