News Article
Obama Administration To Aggressively Counter 'dumping Activities' In Solar Industry
In response to a question about a trade case that SolarWorld and a coalition of U.S. domestic solar manufacturers have filed against China, President Barack Obama cited "questionable competitive practices coming out of China" within the clean energy industries and said his Administration has aggressively countered "these kinds of dumping activities."
The president's remarks came in an interview on Tuesday, Nov. 1, with Tracy Barry, news anchor for Portland-based KGW NewsChannel 8, when she asked about the recently filed trade petitions. SolarWorld, the largest U.S. solar manufacturer, alleges that China showers its solar manufacturers with countless and widespread subsidies and exports its production at artificially low prices with the effect of decimating much of the U.S. domestic solar manufacturing industry and its jobs.
Barry asked: "SolarWorld is one of our companies in Oregon, and they are accusing China of dumping solar panels in the United States. Would you be willing to look at any kind of actions, tariffs, whatever, to protect those green jobs in the U.S.?"
Obama answered: "We have seen a lot of questionable competitive practices coming out of China when it comes to the clean energy space, and I have been more aggressive than previous administrations in enforcing our trade laws. We have filed actions against them when we see these kinds of dumping activities, and we're going to look very carefully at this stuff and potentially bring actions if we find that the basic rules of the road have been violated."
Gordon Brinser, president of Oregon-based SolarWorld Industries America Inc., said Obama's remarks validated concerns that China has been violating U.S. and world trade laws at the expense of U.S. domestic clean-technology employers and jobs.
"The President acknowledged there are a considerable number of questionable trade practices, including dumping, coming out of China," Brinser said. "We are heartened to hear that the Administration is looking closely at our case and the President has restated his commitment to enforcing U.S. trade laws."
Representing the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing, which includes six other manufacturers of crystalline silicon solar technology, SolarWorld filed its petitions on Oct. 19. The case seeks anti-dumping and countervailing duties against Chinese solar manufacturers to offset what they allege are significant, pervasive violations.
To view the interview clip, go to http://www.kgw.com/video/featured-videos/Obama-on-Solarworld-and-Chinese-competition-133078643.html.
SOURCE: SolarWorld
