China Finds 6 US Solar Programs in Violation of Global Trade Rules, & SEIA Responds

May 24th, 2012 by Zachary Shahan

As just about everyone expected, following the Dept. of Commerce preliminary ruling that Chinese solar companies were “dumping” solar panels in the US market and unfairly subsidizing them, the Chinese government has shot back (retaliated) by charging that six state-level renewable energy programs in the US also violate global trade rules.

In other words, a trade war is on.

Clearly, the fears of many companies hurt by Chinese trade practices but unwilling to challenge them are also validated with this, and perhaps much more importantly, the whole global solar industry is quite threatened by this feud, especially if it grows rather than subsides.

The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has officially responded with what I think is a perfect response on the matter, so I’ll let SEIA take it away:

WASHINGTON – Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), released the following statement today in response to reports that China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has preliminarily determined that six state-level U.S. renewable energy programs violate global trade rules:

“The escalating trade conflict in the global solar industry will ultimately hurt the entire market at a time when solar energy is on the cusp of widespread adoption.

“Today’s ruling is yet another example of the need for dialogue. While trade remedy proceedings, such as those being pursued by both the U.S. and Chinese governments are legitimate, essential principles of a rules-based global trading system, so too are collaboration and negotiation.”

“Now is the time for the U.S. and China to come together in a collaborative dialogue—not through the lens of any one particular trade dispute but in a broader context. As stated previously, disputes within one segment of the industry affect the entire solar supply chain—and these broad implications must be recognized. Today’s decision by the Chinese government underscores this point. We, therefore, repeat our call for the U.S. and Chinese governments to immediately work together towards a mutually-satisfactory resolution of the growing trade conflict within the solar industry.”

As a first step, SEIA and the China Renewable Energy Industries Association have requested that the U.S. and Chinese governments engage the 21 member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in a formal clean energy dialogue on trade. This conversation would provide an excellent framework for a much larger, global agreement on acceptable solar energy policy.

Resch added: “The proverbial saying, ‘you can’t see the forest for the trees,’ rings true in this case. In the long run, continually escalating trade disputes in the solar industry will shut down markets around the world. Companies from all nations will be the ultimate losers. Exporters will find fewer and fewer destinations for their products. Large project developers and local installers will find it more and more difficult to source products. And consumers will see solar energy as a less competitive source of electricity. This is an absolutely unacceptable outcome. A broader dialogue can only complement the legitimate avenues for trade remedies being pursued both here and abroad.”

Images: US Dollar vs Yuan and China & US fists via Shutterstock

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Tags: china solar energy, china us solar, china us solar trade, china us solar trade dispute, china us solar trade war, quickies, SEIA, US Solar Energy

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Edward Kerr

“This is an absolutely unacceptable outcome”. In one line Zach, you say it all. With the stakes so high for mankind (pounds and pounds) it’s sad to see people squabbling over what amounts to pennies in comparison. It’s odd and disheartening when emotion clouds reason.

Come on guys, listen to Zach and nip this nonsense in the bud.
Ed