Brussels, 30/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Chinese government denies influencing the majority of European Union member states that are against anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panels.
On 29 May, China refuted the arguments of European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht - arguments which accused China of exerting pressure on EU member states in order to prevent the entry into force of anti-dumping duties on China's exports of solar panels. In a press release distributed on 30 May by the New China news agency and published on the website of the Chinese government, the Chinese mission to the EU gave assurances that no pressure had been exerted by Beijing, as De Gucht had implied. “It has been reported that some EU member states have expressed differing opinions on the issue of the customs duties that the Commission wants to impose on Chinese solar panels destined for Europe. I am sure that they have issued a rational judgment after carefully weighing up the pros and cons. There has been no pressure of any sort”, the spokesperson from the Chinese mission stated, adding: “We will not influence or frighten anybody. China is ready to make a concerted effort with the EU in order to maintain a healthy relationship, and always tries to settle trade tensions through dialogue”.
On 27 May, leaks revealed that 18 member states - led by Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden, and joined by Cyprus and Greece - issued an unfavourable opinion (during an anti-dumping meeting last week) on De Gucht's proposal to impose a duty on imports of Chinese solar panels and their components of between 37% and 68% (47% on average). The sanction is backed by France and the big Southern countries - Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Although during a meeting on Monday with the Chinese deputy minister for trade, Zhong Shan, De Gucht said he was open to the idea of negotiating a solution to the solar panel issue informally, he clearly indicated to the Chinese representative that he was “informed about the pressure exerted by China on a number of EU member states, which explains why they take the position they do in their recommendations to the Commission”, De Gucht's spokesperson stated. The following day, De Gucht gave assurances when speaking at the European Parliament that he “would not give in to the pressure” exerted by Beijing. (EH/transl.fl)