A final decision is due in early March. Source: Flickr/Luke Price.

The European Commission has proposed the extension of existing trade duties on Chinese solar products for a further two years.

A final decision on the extension is required before the end of March 2017 and needs the approval of member states.

“We do not believe this is the correct approach to growing a sustainable solar sector in Europe, and we will look to the Member States to redress some of the inaccuracies reported,” said Oliver Schaefer president of SolarPower Europe. “Opening ex-officio interim reviews on the minimum import price mechanism is simply tinkering at the edges of a profound issue of European-wide importance.”

The Commission is required to enforce duties when it finds evidence of unfair trade practices. With a larger base of jobs in deployment than manufacturing, SolarPower Europe and other industry groups have argued that forcing the price of solar goods upwards was not in the best interests of the European Union. Many trade unions and manufacturing groups argue that unfair trade can not be tolerated in the pursuit of free trade.

More to follow…