MOC condemns U.S. ruling on China-made solar cells

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Thursday voiced strong dissatisfaction with the United States's affirmative final determinations on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China, saying the decision "signals protectionism" and "hinders the development of new energy."

MOC spokesman Shen Danyang said the U.S. Commerce Department ignores reasonings from the Chinese government and enterprises and imposes unfair duties on China-made solar cells.

Shen's remarks came after the U.S. Commerce Department announced that Chinese producers and exporters have sold solar cells in the U.S. market at dumping margins ranging from 18.32 percent to 249.96 percent.

The department also set final countervailing duties of 14.78 to 15.97 percent on China-made cells.

"The U.S. decision runs counter to global efforts to jointly combat the challenges of climate change and energy security, and it breaks the country's promise to not take fresh protectionism measures, which was made at the G20 summit," Shen said.

He urged the United States to halt the trade remedies in order to encourage communication and cooperation in the industry to push forward the development of new energy.

U.S. imports of solar cells from China were valued at an estimated 3.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, according to the U.S. 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 incur material injury or threat to U.S. industry, the country's Commerce Department will issue the anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty orders. If the ITC makes a negative determination, the investigations will be terminated.

Clashes over China-made products arose last year when a group of panel manufacturers in the United States, led by SolarWorld Industries America Inc., filed a formal complaint to the U.S. Commerce Department, saying China-made panels were being sold at extremely low prices on hefty government subsidies, while the Chinese makers said their commercial success has resulted from fair competition.