Chinese solar industry decries reported new US crackdown measures

Chinese solar panel companies and industry insiders on Sunday expressed defiance over the US’ reported plan to impose new tariffs on Chinese firms that it deems to be “circumventing” US tariffs.

Washington’s new crackdown measure will not have much impact on Chinese firms but will force them to speed up steps to enhance their industry chains, they said.

Four solar companies have been accused of such moves by the US Commerce Department – units of BYD Co, Trina Solar Co, LONGi Green Energy Technology Co and Canadian Solar Inc, Reuters reported, noting that it is so far a preliminary decision.

LONGi’s production and operation will not be materially affected in the short term, said the company in a statement.

“We will actively provide evidence that shows we are compliant with the US trade law and not circumventing it… No matter what the final result is, it will not affect the company’s medium- and long-term planning in the US market,” read the statement.

Analysts said that Washington’s crackdown will have a limited impact on Chinese solar panel makers since the PV market in the US is not large on a global scale. But such “decoupling” moves will further dampen the US’ goal to reach 100 percent carbon pollutionfree electricity by 2035.

Yet, China’s PV sector has been heavily targeted by the US in recent years under Washington’s vicious attempt to contain China’s development. The US banned products from China’s Xinjiang region citing “forced labor lies.”

An anonymous industry insider told the Global Times that Washington’s repeated crackdowns will force the Chinese PV sector to speed up its layout in the world and accelerate domestic arrangements so as to enhance its industry chains.