EU softens tariff rollout on China solar

The EU tariffs on Chinese solar panels went into effect on Tuesday, although at a lower initial rate than was originally threatened, The New York Times reported. The tariffs will be 11.8% at first but will rise to 47.6% in August, said Karel De Gutch, the EU’s trade commissioner. The EU’s executive body said last month it would levy duties as high as 67% on the Chinese solar companies, which it accuses of dumping products at below the cost of production. The greatly diminished initial rate revealed the EU’s inability to gain consensus on trade matters while deferring to the interest of individual states.