Intl PV associations oppose trade barrier

The International Solar Energy Industries Conference is taking place in Shanghai on Monday. It's only two days before the European Union will start its briefing on the proposal of imposing an average "anti-dumping" tariff of 47 percent on Chinese made solar panels. How to cope with the increasing trade barrier is a hot topic in the conference.

The world major Solar Energy Industries Associations are looking at the future for solar panel manufacturers. The biggest challenge is the increasing trade hurdles between China and its main markets, the US and EU.

"The tariffs could be so high, that they effectively serve as a block. Both for import from China to the EU, as well as US silicon being exported to China," John P. Smirnow, Vice President of US Solar Energy Industries Association said.

The European Commission is considering imposing an average anti-dumping tariff of 47% on imports of solar panels from China, with a decision expected by the 5th of June. But experts say tariffs might be harmful to restore the industries' profitability.

"The best of all, we will want to avoid any barriers to trade worldwide. I think it will be counterproductive if the process results the major distortions of the trade," Murray Cameron, President of European PV Industry Association, said.

Last October, the US Commerce Department set anti-dumping duties ranging from 18 percent to 250 percent on imports of Chinese solar panels. But most US PV manufactures have not seen more profit since then.

John said, "It actually does not help them, we have seen prices continue to fall in US market. And we have also seen the cases created throughout the supply chain."

To cope with the trade conflicts, solar power industry associations say that China, the EU and US should collaborate and negotiate for a win-win solution.

"We need to collaborate, and negotiate solutions rather than imposing on trade barriers," Shi Dinghuan, President of China Society of Renewable Energy, said.

"We have to look beyond those trade issues, we have to work ever harder to open up new markets," Murray said.