Provisional Tariffs On Chinese Solar Imports

EU officials have decided to impose provisional anti-dumping tariffs on solar modules, wafers and cells imported into Europe from China, in a move that could unleash a trade war between two of the world's largest economies. The decision came despite German opposition to the course of action, as Germany is considered by far China's biggest trading partner in the EU. The EC will impose a tariff of about 12% on the import of solar panels, cells and wafers, to increase to an average of 47% in August 2013. China, the world's largest producer of solar panels, is blamed by the EU of dumping them, or selling at improperly low prices, and hurting European competitors. Chinese exports of solar panels to Europe amounted to 21BN Euros in 2011.