The talks are focused on establishing a quota on Chinese exports and a minimum price for devices in return for stopping US duties imposed on China products, Bloomberg Businessweek reported, citing two people familiar with private talks.
In the recent months, there have been tensions following China’s policies and the trade partners have either imposed or mulling to impose duties to reduce imports of solar-energy equipment.
Last week in China, representatives from the Washington-based Solar Energy Industries Association and the Singapore-based Asia Photovoltaic Industry Association had discussions on trade disputes.
China has become the world’s largest producer of photovoltaic modules with the production increasing sixfold from 2009 to 2011. This has led to oversupply and slash in prices.
Meanwhile, China has alleged that the US and the EU are subsidizing polysilicon, which is the main ingredient in solar cells, and hence it is likely to impose anti-dumping duties on solar panel imports that use the material.
Following the US government support for renewable-energy devices, polysilicon price has dropped 64% since December 2010.
According to media reports in early May, EU may also impose levies of around 68% on imports of solar panels from China as an anti-dumping measure.
