The European Commission (EC) announced on June 4 a punitive tariff rate of 11.8% on China-made solar panels and main components such as solar cells and wafers, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The tariff rate is lower than expected as original proposals had a tariff range of 37.3%-47%. According to Reuters, the EC has given negotiations between the two economies two months from June 6 to August 6. If negotiations fail, the tariff rate will rise to an average of 47.6% by August 6, said Reuters. A final decision will be made in December and the punitive tariff rate set at that time will last for five years, added Reuters.
According to the same article from The Wall Street Journal, the two-month delay was due to "a campaign of intense lobbying by the Chinese government that appeared to help swing the tide of opinion among the 27 EU national governments against the tariffs." However, the report stated, EU trade chief Karel De Gucht can unilaterally impose short-term import duties that last six months, though De Gucht will need national approval for the final verdict in December, said report.
China-based news media, Xinhua News, highlighted the concerns expressed by the German Federation of Industry (BDI) and the Alliance for Affordable solar Energy (AFASE) over the trade tariff announced by the EC on June 4.
However, China officials have yet to respond to the announcement.
EU to tax 11.8% on China solar product imports from June 6-August 6
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