WASHINGTON – Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), released the following statement today in response to China’s decision to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations against U.S. polysilicon imported into China from the United States:

“We are disappointed by China’s decision to escalate the U.S.-China solar trade conflict.  Unfortunately, these investigations will have an immediate, adverse impact on U.S. polysilicon manufacturers, regardless of the investigations’ outcome.  The investigations also threaten the Chinese solar industry’s access to the world’s most efficient and innovative polysilicon products.

“Once again, what’s missing from today’s decision is any effort to find common ground.  Enhanced coordination between industry and government will help avoid trade friction at an earlier stage and create a complementary avenue for resolving trade conflict.

“Some have argued that it’s too soon to either start a collaborative dialogue or consider negotiations.  We disagree—it’s never too soon to begin work on solutions and forward-thinking action.  And we now have confirmation that disputes within one segment of the solar industry affect the entire supply chain.  Let’s start the broader collaborative process now.

“Indeed, the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Vladivostok presents an immediate opportunity for U.S.-China collaboration on solar trade issues.  Both countries should support the creation of an Environmental Technologies Partnership (ETP), housed within APEC’s Committee on Trade and Investment.  APEC has a long history of being home to sector-specific partnerships, and we view the ETP as building on those successes.  APEC’s voluntary and consensus-oriented approach would foster a proactive, collaborative discussion on solar trade issues, the type of dialogue sorely missing from the current environment.”

About SEIA:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,100 member companies to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org.

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