China to probe EU solar imports

China launched a trade investigation into imports of solar-grade polysilicon on the 1 November 2012 – an ingredient in solar panels – from the EU, escalating the bitter trade disputes between China and the west over renewable energy.

Subsequently, the European Commission launched on the 8 November 2012 an anti-subsidy ('countervailing duty') investigation into imports of solar panels and their key components (i.e. solar cells and solar wafers) originating in China (an anti-dumping investigation concerning the same product was initiated on 6 September 2012 by the European Commission and was on-going).

ESO: Background information: EU probes China solar panel dumping claims http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-probes-china-solar-panel-dumping-claims/

Frankfurter Rundschau, 2.11.12: Solar wars? (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2986071-solar-wars

European Commission: Memo/12/844: EU initiates anti-subsidy investigation on solar panel imports from China http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-844_en.htm

BBC News, 08.11.12: EU to investigate Chinese solar panel subsidies http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20249003

European Commission: DG Trade: Press Release, 08.11.12: EU initiates anti-subsidy investigation on solar panel imports from China http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=841

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