US affirms punitive duties on solar cells from China

U.S. Commerce Department Wednesday announced its affirmative final determinations in antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China, whether or not assembled into modules.

The department said Chinese producers and exporters sold solar cells in the U.S. market at dumping margins ranging from 18.32 percent to 249.96 percent, and they received countervailable subsidies of 14.78 percent to 15.97 percent.

Imports of solar cells from China were valued at an estimated 3.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, according to Commerce Department.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its final determination on or before Nov. 23. If the result affirms that these products cause material injury or threat to the U.S. industry, Commerce Department will issue the AD and CVD orders. If the ITC makes a negative determination, the investigations will be terminated.

The commerce department initiated the AD and CVD investigations on Nov. 8, 2011 in response to a petition filed on Oct. 19, 2011 by SolarWorld Industries America Incorporation in the state of Oregon.

Trade tensions due to U.S. protectionism against China have been simmering throughout the entire election year as both presidential candidates use China as a punching bag.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment against protectionism and work together with China and other members of the international community to maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.