Four Asia-based solar component companies are evading U.S. antidumping duties on photovoltaic cells by processing Chinese units subject to the penalties in a minor way before they are imported for use on American projects, the U.S. Commerce Dept. said Dec. 2 in a preliminary finding. It will make a final determination on May 1.
“Today’s preliminary determination underscores Commerce’s commitment to holding the People’s Republic of China accountable for its trade distorting actions,” the agency said in a ruling that sustains a petition for the probe by U.S. manufacturer Auxin Solar. The ruling "largely validated and confirmed Auxin's allegations of Chinese cheating," firm CEO Mamun Rashid said in a statement.