Wyden: SolarWorld Decision Proves Enforcing Trade Rules Works

ITC Rules for Oregon Manufacturer Against Illegally Traded Chinese Solar

WASHINGTON –The International Trade Commission unanimously confirmed that Chinese solar companies broke the law, and ruled in favor of Hillsboro-based SolarWorld in its fight against unfair trade. The ITC decision finalizes an earlier Commerce Department decision that Chinese and Taiwanese producers used illegal foreign government subsidies and dumped below-cost solar panels and modules on the U.S. market. 

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued a statement following the ruling.

“I have never been prouder to stand up for U.S. manufacturing and good-paying Oregon jobs than I am today. The ITC unanimously recognized that China was cheating on trade and U.S. jobs were lost as a result,” Wyden said. “This decision proves that strong enforcement of American trade rules can be the difference between saving U.S. jobs or letting foreign firms get the upper hand. To protect American solar jobs, the ITC and Commerce must continue to enforce the trade laws of the United States to the maximum extent provided by law.”

As the result of today’s ITC decision, Commerce will impose tough duties on these unfairly traded products. The ITC decision is available here. Additional information from Commerce on the ruling can be found here.

Wyden has consistently stood up for U.S. manufacturers against unfair foreign trade. He backed this trade case when it was filed in 2013 and testified in support of SolarWorld at the International Trade Commission on December 8, 2014.  Earlier this month, Wyden successfully strengthened federal procurement laws, to require the Defense Department to only buy solar panels that are made in America.

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