Trina rejects allegations of circumvention of U.S.-anti-dumping rules – SEIA webinar on »how you can help fight back«

China’s Trina Solar Ltd. says it is »deeply disappointed« with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to initiate anti-dumping investigations related to U.S. solar cell and module imports from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The starting point is the request by U.S. solar module manufacturer Auxin Solar Inc. to investigate imports of crystalline-based solar cells and solar modules. The company said the production facilities in these four Asian countries were set up solely to circumvent U.S. requirements on anti-dumping regulations on imports of solar products from China. Module producers would use parts made in China that would otherwise be subject to a tariff, according to comments Auxin made to the ministry.
According to Trina, imposing high tariffs on Chinese companies in Southeast Asia would »inevitably increase costs for the downstream U.S. solar industry,« which accounts for the bulk of U.S. solar jobs. Subsequently, tariffs would put further pressure on the cost of clean energy. Moreover, this would create »extreme uncertainty« for solar producers »and for U.S. customers.« Trina expects and urges »a swift conclusion to the investigation in order to restore supply to the U.S. solar market.«
According to Abigail Ross Hopper, executive director of the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), »the mere threat of tariffs hinders the growth of the industry.« Adding this case would have »a chilling effect.« Additional tariffs would result in the loss of 70,000 American jobs, including 11,000 manufacturing jobs. The Commerce Department's investigation could take up to a year.
On Tuesday, April 5, SEIA will host a webinar to discuss the background of these investigations, as well as actions to address them (see link below).
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