Cooperation, not conflict on solar energy

If the punitive duties were imposed, large PV power plants in the United States would be devastated by soaring costs and the nationwide application of clean energy would lose momentum for further expansion, which will in turn drag down economic growth and employment.

That is why the US Solar Energy Industries Association have expressed opposition to the trade conflict.

As China's PV exports to the United States and EU declined over the past years, its shipments to Japan and emerging markets like India and South Africa rose. Asian buyers absorbed more than half of China's exports in the first quarter, as compared to less than 20 percent for the EU market.

This in a way indicates that many more countries have become interested in the clean energy source as its cost declines steadily.

As the world PV production center shifts to Asian countries like China, the worldwide process of technology transfer and clean energy development is accelerated. This is important to the overall development of the global PV sector.

China and the United States should seek proper settlements of trade disputes with full consideration of the mutually beneficial situation for PV industry growth.

Negotiation is the best resort to bridge the difference and create a win-win situation, as proven by the successful settlement of a similar case between China and the EU a year ago.

A tit-for-tat approach always hurts. The two sides should endeavor to exclude this option from their arsenals with views to create a favorable situation for global growth.

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