Chinese bitterly assail heavy US tariffs on solar panels

China condemned a US decision to impose high tariff duties Chinese solar energy products as a step that signals protectionism.

The Ministry of Commerce also said the decision hinders the development of new energy. It noted the US Department of Commerce had ignored reasoning from the Chinese government and business firms by imposing duties on solar cells made in China.

"The US decision runs counter to global efforts to combat the challenges of climate change and energy security and breaks the country's promise not to take fresh protectionism measures, which was made at the G20 summit," the ministry said.

The US Department of Commerce last week affirmed punishing tariffs on Chinese solar panel imports ranging from 18.3% to 249.9%. It concluded that solar panel production was being made artificially cheap by subsidies from the Chinese government, resulting in "dumping" in the US market. The tariffs only apply to solar cells and modules made on the Chinese mainland.

The US also imposed additional countervailing duties ranging from 14.78% to 15.97% to combat the alleged Chinese government subsidies.

US imports of solar cells from China were valued at an estimated US$3.1 billion in 2011, according to the commerce department.

The US International Trade Commission, or the ITC, is scheduled to make its final decision by Nov 23.