While the US Department of Commerce has launched an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation of solar cells and modules imported from China, Europe, the largest market for China-made solar products, is unlikely to follow suit because Europe-based suppliers of polysilicon and solar product manufacturing equipment have been benefiting from large demand in China, according to industry sources.

However, the sources added, as Europe is the biggest solar market in the world, it is likely for it to experience a shift of focus and become the main "dumping ground" for China-made solar modules.

Europe-based solar firms have been complaining to their governments about unfair competition from the heavily subsidized China-based solar firms. However, European governments have done little to address the issue.

China's minister of commerce Chen Deming has indicated recently that the Chinese government will respond to protectionism policies initiated by foreign countries against China-made goods. Chen further stated that countries engaged in trade wars with China will suffer great losses as China is a huge market for international firms.

Chen added the current debt problems in Europe have been slowing down the global economy. In addition, Chen predicts that China's economy will also be affected.

Source:digitimes