EU accused over collapse of solar talks

The European Union was accused of a “lack of sincerity’’ as talks over solar panels collapsed.

The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products said in a statement on its website on Wednesday that the EU was not sincere in its approach.

Both sides agreed that the CCCME would represent the Chinese solar industry and begin negotiations with the European Commission concerning the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against Chinese solar products, said the statement.

At the invitation of the European Commission, the CCCME sent its delegation to the EU for negotiations.

“With utmost sincerity and in the principle of cooperation, the CCCME delegation put forward a practical and workable proposal at the request of the European Commission. However, it was firmly and entirely rejected by the European Commission without any explanation. Besides, there was no response from the commission with regard to the questions raised by CCCME delegation,” Zhang Yujing, head of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronic Products, told a news briefing on Wednesday.

“We hold the view that the European side did not demonstrate its sincerity to resolve trade issues through consultation. We do not understand and are sorry for the way the commission handled the negotiation,” said Wang Guiqing, deputy head of the CCCME.