SolarWorld, on behalf of a coalition of U.S. domestic solar manufacturers, has submitted new AD and CVD cases to the ITC for review. This time around, the AD and CVD cases are broadened to cover both China and Taiwan. This is an attempt to close what SolarWorld has argued is a loophole in the original AD and CVD cases that were issued one year ago. The loophole allowed Chinese manufactured solar panels to enter into the U.S. without being subject to AD or CVD duties if they were manufactured in third countries. You can read more about SolarWorld’s justification in their news release.
What is important to understand is that by creating a case that includes Taiwan directly, SolarWorld is doing more than just closing a loophole. This is an attack on solar modules and solar cells from Taiwan, whether or not they are shipped indirectly through Chinese products. The Taiwanese solar industry is essentially the victim of collateral damage from the solar trade war between the U.S. and China. Since the U.S. instituted AD and CVD duties on Chinese solar modules last year, the Chinese government has responded by beginning their own AD and CVD investigations of U.S. polysilicon (a key raw material in solar module production) exports to China.
Note that as during the first AD and CVD investigation, not everyone in the U.S. solar industry supports this trade war. The Solar Energy Industries Association, a broad based coalition of solar companies in the United States that includes researchers, installers, and manufacturers, has spoken out against the new AD and CVD case. They would like to see a compromise to end this dispute.
The ITC has until February 14, 2014 to make a preliminary injury determination. It is extremely important that importers of solar modules made directly or indirectly from Taiwan solar cells follow this news closely. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
– Jimmy Ting
Great World Customs Service
http://www.gwlcorp.com
http://www.great-world.com
t: 650-873-9050 x1019
email: jimmyting@gwlcorp.com
