China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has officially responded to the latest investigation by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) into imported Chinese PV modules.
MOFCOM said that the two countries should start a “dialogue” and “negotiate” a settlement as both countries are supporting the adoption of clean energy technologies and solar photovoltaics in particular and are both becoming leaders in the field.
However, MOFCOM urged that the latest anti-dumping and subsidy investigations be handled carefully and “take measures to terminate the investigation procedures”.
MOFCOM noted in a statement that it would closely watch the ITC case and would be assessing any impact the case may have of the Chinese PV industry before considering “various mechanisms” in response.
The ministry also claimed that after the first ITC case and the imposition of duties in November, 2012 the US was to blame for throwing the “whole industry chain into chaos”.
The ITC said last week its anti-dumping (AD) and anti-subsidy (CVD) inquiry would extend to solar cells supplied from Taiwan and used in Chinese PV modules imported into the US.
The body is expected to make a preliminary determination on AD by February 14, 2014, while US Department of Commerce (DOC) would issue a countervailing duty (CVD) judgement sometime in March 2014 and a preliminary AD ruling sometime in June 2014.
However, the preliminary determination by the ITC could include a decision to negotiate a settlement with China rather than automatic new duties.
The European Commission came to a negotiated settlement with China following its own anti-dumping investigation in 2013.