Dow Corning joins American solar manufacturers <br>to prevent global solar trade war

By Kathryn Lynch-Morin | klynchmo@mlive.com MLive.com

BAY COUNTY, MI — Dow Corning Corp. and a list of other American solar manufacturers are calling for the U.S. and Chinese governments to engage in constructive dialogue in order to avoid a global trade war in the solar industry. 

The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy said Wednesday American solar companies could face even more direct and collateral damage as polysilicon companies in China are seeking regulatory tariffs against American polysilicon manufacturers. 

China and India-based companies are seeking anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations against companies entering their markets from the U.S. and other countries.

Robert D. Hansen, president and chief executive officer of Bay County-based Dow Corning, said such measures hinder the growth of the industry. 

"Trade discussions in fast-growth, new technology industries like solar, which also offer a tremendous amount of social benefit to the world, are best served by government and business leaders collaborating to develop free, fair and constructive trade policies which enable and foster growth and cooperation,” Hansen said.    

Dow Corning, one of the country's largest solar energy material suppliers, is not a member of the Coalition, but has joined in its efforts, along with other large solar material suppliers, including DuPont. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce in May reached a preliminary decision that Chinese producers and exporters have been dumping solar cells and products in the U.S. As a result of the preliminary decision, the Department of Commerce has instructed U.S. Customs anNike Air Jordan 1 Retro