US raises tariffs on Chinese solar cells

The US government has imposed higher anti-subsidy tariffs on solar cells imported from China, Financial Times reported. The US commerce department said Wednesday that it would raise tariffs as high as 15.97%, a significant jump from the maximum 4.73% preliminary duties announced in March.  The department did not change or reduce anti-dumping duties from the original rates released in May. In response, China has said it will launch an investigation into alleged US dumping of polysilicon, the material used in the construction of cells. The case follows a series of trade disputes between the two countries. US President Barack Obama opened a WTO case over Chinese subsidies for car parts in September. China lodged a complaint with the WTO on US law the same day.