China wants short-term solar deal with EU, no duties on wafers - report

Jul 17, 2013 - China is demanding the exclusion of solar wafers from the anti-dumping dispute and is willing to negotiate only a short-term agreement with the European Union (EU) running until 2014, Reuters said Tuesday, citing a document of the European Commission (EC).

In addition, the Asian country insists that any limit on Chinese exports to the EU should be insignificant, making even more difficult the talks for settling the expanding solar dispute that is threatening to turn into a trade war.

Last month, the EU decided to introduce import duties of between 37.2% and 67.9% on Chinese solar panels, cells and wafers. For two months starting on June 6, defined as a transitional period, Chinese solar imports are subject to a tariff of 11.8%. After August 6 the full duties, which stand at 47.6% on average, will be in force, unless China and the EU reach a compromise. After December 5, the EU will have to decide whether to impose permanent anti-dumping levies for five years.

China's demands for a short-term agreement with the EU contradicts the parties' efforts to reach a deal, Reuters reported.

The news agency quoted a Chinese source familiar with the matter as denying recent reports that negotiations between China and the EU have failed. According to the source, Chinese representatives were still in Brussels and talks with the EC were to continue this week.

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