UPDATE ON SUN WAR WITH CHINA

Solar Trade Complaint: Rumors, New Twists And Questions Answered
Jessica Lillian, 8 December 2011 (Solar Industry)

"…[The bipartisan] International Trade Commission (ITC)…voted 6-0 that there is a ‘reasonable indication’ that [Chinese solar cell and module trade practices] practices are detrimental to the U.S.' solar manufacturing industry…In response, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) - which has maintained a neutral position on the case - sought to [clarify and inform]…

"The ITC's task is to ascertain whether the practices of the Chinese government have caused injury to U.S.-based solar manufacturers…[I]ts preliminary investigation…[found] unanimously that injury has likely occurred…The [U.S. Dept. of Commerce (DOC)]'s concurrent investigation will focus on PV product pricing, in order to determine whether Chinese modules were sold at ‘unfairly’ low prices (i.e., dumped) and whether producers and exporters have benefited from ‘unfair’ government subsidies…"

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"The ITC will look at three factors - price, volume and impact - by collecting a wealth of quarterly pricing data…The initial complaint filed by SolarWorld and its partners in the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing specifically excluded thin-film PV modules from the investigation. Petition respondents, however, have said that they believe thin film should be defined as a 'like product' and, thus, covered in the investigation…

"The next date to watch is Jan. 12, when the DOC is expected to make its preliminary determination on the countervailing-duty portion of the case…A final determination is planned for March 27, when the department will also release its preliminary determination on the anti-dumping component of its investigation…From May through July, both the ITC and DOC will make a series of final determinations, with orders for the countervailing-duty case scheduled for May 18 and orders for the anti-dumping case scheduled for Aug. 1…The U.S. government, however, has in place a measure to stop [importers from rushing as much product as possible into the U.S.]…"