The European Commission has undertaken an inquiry into market claims that Chinese manufacturers of solar glass receive benefits through illegal subsidies. This is another piece of evidence uncovered by the EU against its second largest trading partner.
The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the trade body EU ProSun Glass, alleging that the Chinese glass sold to the European Union at below market prices is detrimental to the EU's solar glass industry.
The whole market of solar glass is estimated to be valued near Eur200 million or US$260.54 million is but a drop in the ocean compared to the 2011 total volume traded valued at Eur293 billion according to the EuroComm figures. The volume makes the EU China's top trading partners.
In a formal statement, the EuroComm's investigation into the alleged subsidies is a 'standalone' investigation and not related to the solar panel inquiry. The inquiry may take more than a year but the 27 member nation bloc can impose anti-subsidy duties within the nine months when a decision is arrived at for its need.
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