A colleague (Chinese-American exec in charge of a Chinese company with panel assembly operations in US) working up support to fend off US retroactive tariffs on Chinese modules and panels.
From: Ocean Yuan [mailto:ocean.yuan@grapesolar.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 5:31 PM
To: Ocean Yuan
Subject: Join CASE
Dear Colleague,
I am writing you today to urge you to join Grape Solar and 160 other American solar companies as part of the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE). While you may have already heard about CASE, I’d like to take a few minutes to let you know why this organization is so important and why you should become part of it.
As you may know, CASE was formed to fight a petition filed last year with the United States Department of Commerce by a German-owned company called SolarWorld that requested tariffs of up to 250% on solar panels imported from China. CASE, which represents the interests of 97-98% of the US solar industry, is fighting to protect solar jobs in America against artificial price increases that would have an extremely damaging impact on the solar industry. A few weeks ago GT Advanced Technologies and REC Silicon, two major solar manufacturers, became new members of CASE, in large part because CASE is the only solar organization fighting to protect the future of solar power and stop a potential solar trade war between the US and China.
Several months ago, CASE released a study it commissioned by the highly respected economic consulting firm, The Brattle Group, that makes clear just how much is at stake: if SolarWorld succeeds, up to 60,000 US solar industry-related jobs could be lost by 2014.
CASE has already made great progress getting our solar jobs message out and urging the administration to find a speedy and equitable resolution to the petition through a negotiated settlement that protects American jobs, exports, and the future of US solar power. CASE members have had more than 50 meetings with members of Congress and officials from the White House, the Commerce Department, the State Department, the Department of Energy, and the United States Trade Representative. We have also worked hard to get the truth out in the press, which is beginning to tell the real story about SolarWorld’s action. Attached are some recent news articles and op eds by CASE members, including one I co-authored published in The Oregonian, right in SolarWorld’s backyard.
CASE’s efforts are showing real progress with the Department of Commerce’s decision to impose tariffs that were lower than many expected (between 3% and 5%) in its March 20 preliminary decision regarding countervailing duties. Between now and May 17, however, when the Department of Commerce is scheduled to announce its decision on SolarWorld’s anti-dumping petition, CASE is seeking to mobilize additional support from US solar companies. There is a great deal of concern that tariffs associated with anti-dumping could be much higher than those imposed for countervailing duties.
The impact of high tariffs will be felt across the industry. In fact, the Commerce Department also issued a preliminary ruling that “Critical Circumstances” exist in the SolarWorld case, which could cause retroactive tariffs dating back to December 19, 2011. It is very important for importers to understand that if this decision is confirmed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC), then “Importers of Record,” not just manufacturers, will have to pay the retroactive tariff.
That is why so many major solar companies have joined the cause. In connection with the recent visit of China’s Vice President, Xi Jinping, CASE members released a letter to President Obama encouraging dialogue on the solar trade issue. Among the CEOs signing the letter were the leaders of the nation’s largest solar manufacturers and installers, including: AES Solar, MEMC/SunEdison, GT Advanced Technologies, REC Silicon, Rosendin Electric, Sungevity, SunRun Inc., and Swinerton, Inc.
Now is the time to make our voices even louder. We believe you need CASE as much as CASE needs you. We hope you will consider joining CASE, and supporting our efforts by making a voluntary contribution or by helping make your views known to Washington policymakers and the media.
Please let us know if you have any questions, or would like further information. We look forward to working with you as we continue the fight to protect the US solar industry.
Sincerely,
Ocean Yuan
President
Grape Solar, Inc.
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