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![Chinese companies produce 80 per cent of the world’s solar panels [Getty Images]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/china-trade1.jpg)
Chinese companies produce 80 per cent of the world’s solar panels [Getty Images]
According to a new report released on Wednesday by the European Commission, the first seven months of 2013 have seen the maximum trade investigations against China.
All of the Union’s four anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations from 1st January to 31st July were targeted against China, said the report.
Led by European trade commissioner, Karel De Gucht, officials in Brussels have been investigating Chinese products including seamless steel pipes, solar glass and agglomerated stone.
Five of the seven definitive duties imposed by the EU during this period were against Chinese products ranging from steel products to kitchenware.
Currently there are 84 anti-dumping and 10 countervailing measures in force in the EU, according to the report.
36 investigations were on-going at the end of July.
The European Commission has the mandate to probe, impose trade tariffs and negotiate but the decisions are subject to approval by member states.
Germany, among other countries had opposed the Commission’s tariff plan in the recent solar panel dispute with China.
A price undertaking deal reached between a Chinese chamber of commerce and the European Commission on Chinese solar panel exports was announced at the end of July this year.
Earlier in June, the EU imposed an interim anti-dumping duty of 11.8 per cent on imports of all Chinese solar panel products, including panels, cells and wafers.
Chinese companies produce 80 per cent of the world’s solar panels.
According to a Financial Times report, the EU will delay a probe against Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE to influence European companies winning a satisfactory share in China Mobile’s contract to build a next-generation wireless network.
The European Commission has denied the accusations.
The China Mobile project is expected to account for as much as half of global telecom investment next year.
With inputs from Agencies
