EU imposes definitive measures on Chinese solar panels

BRUSSELS -- The European Union (EU) decided on Monday to impose definitive measures on Chinese solar panels.

According to a press release, the Council of the EU backed the European Commission's proposals to impose 42.1-percent anti-dumping duty and anti-subsidy measures on imports of solar panels from China. The duties will apply for two years as of December 6.

In parallel, the Commission confirmed its decision to accept the undertaking with Chinese solar panel exporters, which means that those Chinese exporters that participate in the undertaking continue to be exempt from paying any anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties.

The Commission said such decisions came after a 15-month investigation for the anti-dumping case and 13-month probe for the anti-subsidy case, launched in September 2012 and November 2012 respectively.

Chinese manufacturers had been allegedly selling the product, which is used for producing solar panels, in the EU at prices below cost, thus causing "material injury" to EU producers, the Commission said in its Official Journal.

The EU and China solved their solar panel trade disputes through "an amicable solution" in August.

Many Chinese manufacturers which agreed to accord with price undertakings, a form of an amicable solution in trade defense proceedings based on a minimum import price, could be exempt from the anti-dumping duties.

The terms of the undertaking have been offered by Chinese exporters of solar panels, represented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at the talks.