China launches trade probe into US subsidies

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

China has launched a trade probe into US subsidies for renewable energy and is contemplating filing a case with the World Trade Organisation. The probe is the latest episode in the rapidly escalating trade dispute between the two countries that was sparked off by an anti-dumping petition from a group of US manufacturers last month.

According to a statement on the Chinese Commerce Ministry’s website, the investigation will look into whether governmental support and policies in the US unfairly promotes trade barriers in solar and other renewable energy sectors. The Ministry has also alleged that the measures violate the US's adherence to World Trade Organization rules. Six projects, in Washington, Massachusetts, Ohio, New Jersey and California, will be covered by the report, which comes in response to a complaint from Chinese solar industry associations and officials who have called for trade countermeasures.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Both China and the US have made renewable energy a priority within their respective domestic energy strategies, offering support via a range of policies, such as tax breaks, loan assistance and fast-tracking permits; last year China invested US$54 billion in clean energy, while the US spent US$34 billion. These outlays have made renewables increasingly important in the respective countries and Gao Hongling, deputy secretary general of the China Photovoltaic Industry Alliance, believes that a potential trade war would hurt both sides.

The US still exports large quantities of polysilicon and manufacturing machinery and “if we launch countermeasures, American raw material and equipment firms will take a very big hit,” Hongling said.

Read Next

October 7, 2025
Juniper Green Energy through its subsidiary Juniper Green Sigma Eight has signed a 70MW power purchase agreement with renewable energy giant Tata Power. 
October 7, 2025
Solar PV will account for almost 80% of the 4.6TW of new renewable power expected to be added by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
October 7, 2025
OpenSolar has secured US$13.1 million in equity financing from technology investors, including Titanium Ventures, Google and others.
October 7, 2025
Doral Renewables has secured a PPA with an unnamed 'corporate buyer' for its 430MW Cold Creek solar-plus-storage project in Texas.
October 7, 2025
US independent power producer (IPP) Arevon has begun operations at two utility-scale solar projects in Indiana.
October 7, 2025
Rystad Energy has said that Queensland’s utility-solar assets were the best-performing solar PV power plants in September 2025.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland