China expects quick end to solar products dumping row with EU

Say it could come in August.

China expects to resolve a multi-billion dollar dispute on alleged Chinese dumping of solar products with the European Union by August, said a senior Chinese industry official.

“We reckon there is a big chance for us to defuse the dispute,” said Sun Guangbin, secretary general of the solar department of China’s Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, a government-industry association authorized to represent Chinese solar companies.

Sun is directly involved in China’s talks with the EU over the solar trade dispute.

“We remain highly optimistic about the direction we are moving in,” he said.

The solar dispute can affect US$27.1 billion worth of imported Chinese solar panels, cells and wafers from leading Chinese manufacturers. The EU accounts for about half of China’s solar exports.

China had proposed to limit the annual volume of its solar panel exports to the EU and set a minimum price of its products sold there in an effort to resolve the trade dispute.