SEIA calls for coordination between industry and government to impede trade war

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  Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the SEIA, released the following statement: “We are disappointed by China’s decision to escalate the US-China solar trade conflict."

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has expressed its disappointment in China’s decision to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations against US polysilicon imported into China from the United States, in retaliation to the US’ decision earlier this year.

Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the SEIA, released the following statement: “We are disappointed by China’s decision to escalate the US-China solar trade conflict. Unfortunately, these investigations will have an immediate, adverse impact on US polysilicon manufacturers, regardless of the investigations’ outcome. The investigations also threaten the Chinese solar industry’s access to the world’s most efficient and innovative polysilicon products.

“Once again, what’s missing from the decision is any effort to find common ground. Enhanced coordination between industry and government will help avoid trade friction at an earlier stage and create a complementary avenue for resolving trade conflict.

“Some have argued that it’s too soon to either start a collaborative dialogue or consider negotiations. We disagree – it’s never too soon to begin work on solutions and forward-thinking action. And we now have confirmation that disputes within one segment of the solar industry affect the entire supply chain. Let’s start the broader collaborative process now.”

Since the US Department of Commerce’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese manufacturers, the SEIA has pushed for cooperation.

“Indeed, the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Vladivostok presents an immediate opportunity for US-China collaboration on solar trade issues,” continued Rhone. “Both countries should support the creation of an Environmental Technologies Partnership (ETP), housed within APEC’s Committee on Trade and Investment. APEC has a long history of being home to sector-specific partnerships and we view the ETP as building on those successes. APEC’s voluntary and consensus-oriented approach would foster a proactive, collaborative discussion on solar trade issues, the type of dialogue sorely missing from the current environment.”