FINANCIAL TIMES: Germany led a majority of EU members on Monday to oppose punitive duties on imported Chinese solar panels, undermining an aggressive attempt by the bloc’s trade commissioner to combat allegedly unfair competition from China.
The anti-dumping case has emerged as a test of whether the EU can maintain a unified trade policy orchestrated by Brussels, or whether national governments would ultimately fracture under intense commercial lobbying by Beijing…
Under EU rules, the commission has the authority to determine whether those provisional duties are enacted. But opposition from member states would weaken Mr De Gucht’s hand as the investigation moves toward a conclusion in December, when they can ultimately can block his proposal… (more)
