Yingli Green Energy has expressed disappointment concerning the preliminary anti-dumping duty (“AD”) tariff decision made recently by the U.S. Department of Commerce
Yingli says it has been lumped in with the Separate Rates Group and some of its products will be subject to a preliminary anti-dumping tariff of 42.33%.
“As a result of protectionist trade policies that raise prices and slow the deployment of solar power, we anticipate that significantly fewer people in the U.S. and globally will experience the long-term economic and environmental benefits of widespread solar adoption,” commented Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy.
“At Yingli, our mission is to bring affordable green energy to all, so we are hopeful that a solution based on the principles of free trade and fair competition will be reached.”
When combined with the previously announced preliminary countervailing duty (“CVD”) tariff, imported Yingli solar panels assembled in China, but containing cells manufactured in another country using certain Chinese components, is 47.27%.
However, all is not lost – the rate may be revised once the International Trade Commission (“ITC”) completes its investigation. The final anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty determination is expected before the end of this year and the final ITC determination is expected in early 2015.
A few weeks ago, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled the U.S. violated international trade agreements in 2012 by imposing anti-dumping tariffs and countervailing measures against imports of Chinese-made solar products.
The US’s approach to the situation has described previously by Forbes contributor Tim Worstall as a great moment of stupidity. Others have suggested it plays into the hands of the fossil fuel sector.
Yingli Green Energy has shipped more than 9,000 MW of PV modules to customers worldwide; including in Australia, where Yingli Solar panels are becoming a common sight on rooftops. The company is the largest manufacturer of solar modules in the world and according to a recent survey of 200 solar businesses, ranks number 1 among 75 solar brands in terms of module reliability, quality and affordable pricing.
