A group of European solar panel manufacturers has asked the European Commission to extend restrictions on imports of Chinese solar power products, a move that could revive a politically charged tussle between Brussels and Beijing.
In 2013, the European Commission set in place an arrangement allowing Chinese manufacturers to sell in the EU a limited number of solar panels, wafers and cells at a minimum price, following a complaint from EU ProSun, an association of EU producers.
Imports from Chinese producers not part of this undertaking are subject to duties of up to 64.9 percent. The duties and duty-free arrangement expire in the middle of December.
EU ProSun said it had filed an application on Thursday last week to extend the arrangement.
The association did not welcome the EU settlement with Chinese solar module producers, but wants it to be renewed. Otherwise, Chinese rivals will be able to sell into the EU free of tariffs.
Assuming the European Commission agrees to start a so-called expiry review, the undertaking and anti-dumping duties would extend for at least a year while they are assessed.
The commission is already investigating a complaint that Chinese solar companies are trying to evade import tariffs by shipping their products via Taiwan or Malaysia.
It has proposed denying six producers from the duty-free undertaking because of alleged breaches of its conditions, including Canadian Solar Inc (阿特斯電力), ReneSola Ltd (昱輝陽光) and Chint Solar Co (正泰太陽能).
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