Seven American makers of solar panels recently filed a broad international trade case at the International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce against the Chinese solar panel industry accusing it of using billions of dollars in government subsidies to help gain sales in the U.S. market.
The Chinese industry is also accused of dumping solar panels in the United States for less than it costs them to make and ship them to the U.S. The case is controversial, both as a result of the political publicity that has surrounded the Solyndra situation and because, if the case were successful, it would likely drive up the costs of solar energy, which has been the primary obstacle in making it a competitive energy source.
U.S.-based importers of solar panels are often the victims of these broader industry-based trade disputes. It is imperative that importers are prepared to deal with both the potential liabilities, which can include retroactive duty assessments, as well as risks that are involved in remaining viable during the course of the investigation and in its aftermath. Risk assessment and strategies to minimize liabilities and possibly looking to alternative sources of supply are necessary to cope with the investigation and its fallout.
How We Can Help
We regularly represent importers who are subject to duty disputes with Customs and other international trade regulatory agencies. We also counsel importers prospectively on strategies to minimize duty liabilities and to develop internal compliance plans that can reduce risk as well as avoid potential trade violations. We perform audits of importers' policies and actions, and design tailored programs utilizing our years of trade regulatory experience and trade business acumen.
This list includes all U.S. importers specifically named or included in the trade filings.