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☆ Solar Companies Seek New U.S. Tariffs on Asian Imports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A group of seven leading solar manufacturers filed trade complaints on Wednesday formally requesting that the Biden administration impose tariffs on solar products being exported from Southeast Asia into the United States. They come amid growing alarm within the U.S. solar industry that a flood of cheap Chinese green energy technology exports are pushing down prices of solar panels and threatening efforts by the Biden administration to develop a domestic solar supply chain. Chinese companies have been relocating production of solar products to neighboring countries to avoid existing tariffs, and U.S. manufacturers believe new trade measures are needed to protect their businesses. In the past year, the United States has imported $12.5 billion worth of solar products from those countries as prices of solar products have dropped by around 50 percent. The trade complaints are focused on imported solar cells, the parts of solar panels that turn light into electricity.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Department of Commerce, U.S . International Trade Commission Locations: Southeast Asia, United States, U.S, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia

☆ Yellen Sees ‘More Work to Do’ as China Talks End With No Breakthrough
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Four days of top-level economic meetings between the United States and China concluded in Beijing on Monday with no major breakthrough, but the world’s two largest economies agreed to hold more discussions to address rising friction over trade, investment and national security. The conversation is poised to become even more difficult, however, as hopes of greater economic cooperation collide with a harsh political reality: It is an election year in the United States, and antipathy toward China is running high. At the same time, Chinese officials appeared unmoved by Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen’s urging that China scale back its recent surge of green energy technology exports, which could threaten American jobs. “There is much more work to do,” Ms. Yellen said at a news conference in Beijing on Monday. “And it remains unclear what this relationship will endure in the months and years ahead.”

Persons: Janet L, Ms, Yellen, ” Locations: United States, China, Beijing

☆ Yellen Faces Diplomatic Test in Urging China to Curb Green Energy Exports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After three hours of meetings on Friday, Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen and Vice Premier He Lifeng of China sat down for a working dinner at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China. The evening activity was intended to give the pair, the top economic officials from the United States and China, an opportunity to go beyond talking points and build trust. The message represented a challenging test of economic diplomacy for Ms. Yellen. She wants China to dial back its industrial policy just as the United States is ramping up its own with trillions of dollars of subsidies for domestic clean energy industries. The new push against China’s exports threatens to inflame trade tensions between the world’s largest economies just as they have been working to stabilize relations.

Persons: Janet L, Yellen, Biden Organizations: Hotel Locations: China, Guangzhou, United States

☆ China is producing too much stuff. The West is worried.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is seeking to address over-manufacturing during her visit to China, which ends Tuesday. The problem is mainly in areas where China already had the upper hand over the West, like lower-tech goods and building materials after the recent property bust. AdvertisementBeijing is aware of overcapacity and pledged to address itBeijing knows the country has an overcapacity problem in some sectors, which is also bad for its own economy. After all, Chinese solar manufacturers are feeling the heat from solar panel overcapacity. Still, China is framing the West's concerns about overcapacity as protectionism and as moves to curtail the country's economic development.

Persons: —, Janet Yellen, Yellen, isn't, hasn't, overcapacity, Li Qiang Organizations: Service, Business, American, of, Reuters, US Treasury, European, Bloomberg, Longi Green Energy Technology Locations: China, Guangzhou, Europe, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Beijing, Xinhua

☆ Europe opens competition probes covering Chinese solar panel makers over subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The European Union has launched investigations into two groups of companies that include Chinese solar panel makers in the latest salvo against what it suspects is unfair competition from China’s vast manufacturing sector. “There are sufficient indications that both (consortia) have been granted foreign subsidies that distort the internal (EU) market,” the European Commission said in a statement. The European Commission has said it may impose tariffs on Chinese biodiesel imports if dumping is confirmed. Like biodiesel, solar panels are an important part of Europe’s efforts to transition to an economy powered by clean technologies. Last month, Premier Li Qiang told the country’s parliament that China would focus on exporting more of its “new trio” of products, namely electric vehicles, solar panels and lithium batteries.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Jens Eskelund, Li Qiang Organizations: London CNN, European Union, European Commission, Green Energy Technology Co, Shanghai Electric Group Co, European, European Union Chamber of Commerce, EU Locations: Romania, EU, China, Europe

☆ U.S. and China Continue to Talk, but Economic Divide Remains Wide
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States and China created formal economic working groups to keep the conversation going. Months later, Ms. Yellen met with her Chinese counterparts in San Francisco and Morocco. But despite those signs of progress, thorny economic issues continue to divide China and the United States. “We don’t want to decouple our economies,” Ms. Yellen said on Wednesday during a stop in Alaska on her way to China. “We want to continue, and we think we both benefit from trade and investment, but it needs to be on a level playing field.”

Persons: Janet L, Yellen, Biden, Ms Locations: Beijing, United States, China, San Francisco, Morocco, Yunnan, Guangzhou, Alaska

☆ China's industrial profits extend gains as outlook improves
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Siyi Liu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Profits at China's industrial firms extended gains for a third month in October, adding to signs of a stabilising economy following a run of mostly upbeat data suggesting Beijing's support measures have helped bolster a tentative comeback. For the first 10 months of 2023, profits slid 7.8% from a year earlier, narrowing from a 9% decline in the first nine months, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Monday. "However, the volatility of profits is a sign enterprises remain highly sensitive to input costs," he added. "The sharp slowdown of year-on-year profit growth was partly driven by a rebound in energy prices." Industrial profits data covers firms with annual revenues of at least 20 million yuan ($2.74 million) from their main operations.

Persons: Siyi Liu, Xu Tianchen, Joe Cash, Liz Lee, Qiaoyi Li, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, National Bureau of Statistics, Economist Intelligence Unit, Green Energy Technology Co, Thomson Locations: Dezhou, Shandong province, China, Rights BEIJING

☆ China's LONGi jumps on probe into Hillhouse unit's stake transfer
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of the solar energy firm rose nearly 5% in morning trade after it said HHLR Management Pte. Ltd was being investigated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) for violating share transfer rules. Singapore-based HHLR Management is part of Chinese investment giant Hillhouse's public investment arm HHLR. HHLR Management was notified by the CSRC of the investigation on suspected rule violations on Wednesday, LONGi said, without giving details. HHLR Management held a 4.98% stake in LONGi at the end of September, compared with 5.85% at the end of 2022, according to filings.

Persons: Hillhouse, LONGi, Zhang Lei, didn't, Samuel Shen, Varun Organizations: Green Energy Technology, Management, China Securities Regulatory Commission, HHLR Management, Reuters, Pionner Driving, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, Singapore, Nanjing, LONGi, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Summer, Hong Kong

☆ Biden ESG rule survives challenge in court. 'Tonal shift’ may be biggest victory, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Biden administration rule — which took effect Jan. 30 — was one facet of a White House effort to address climate change. Biden's ESG rule replaced a regulation issued by the Trump administration. That's because ERISA, a federal retirement law, disallows employers from picking investments for ideological reasons. The Biden administration was concerned that the spin around the Trump rule might have chilled plans' willingness to consider ESG factors. "The Biden administration was concerned that the spin around the Trump rule might have chilled plans' willingness to consider ESG factors in evaluating plan investments," Iwry said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Marty Walsh, Anna Moneymaker, —, Biden, Biden's, Trump, PSCA, Andrew Oringer, Oringer, DOL, gunning, Mark Iwry, Obama, Matthew Kacsmaryk, Mark Iwry nonresident, Iwry, Mischa Keijser Organizations: Labor, White, Getty, of America, U.S . Department of Labor, Northern District of Texas, Wagner Law, Department of Labor, Biden, Trump, Brookings Institution, U.S . Department of, Treasury, Brookings, Labor Department Locations: Rose, Northern District, Texas

☆ China's state planner holds meeting with private firms, including Baidu
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, July 10 (Reuters) - China's state planner said on Monday it held a meeting with private firms including Baidu (9888.HK) and LONGi Green Energy Technology (601012.SS). This is the second round of dialogue between the NDRC and private firms. Chinese Premier Li Qiang heads the State Council, or cabinet, which oversees the state planner. He has been attempting to reassure the private sector as part of his drive to re-invigorate China's post-pandemic economy. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Li Qiang, Li, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Baidu, HK, Green Energy Technology, National Development, Reform Commission, State Council, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING

HONG KONG, March 9 (Reuters Breakingviews) - European financial centres are rolling out the red carpet for Chinese companies. Its free-float market capitalisation of $1.9 trillion is just a tenth of the New York Stock Exchange, January data from the World Federation of Exchanges show. Yet as tensions between Washington and Beijing rise and Chinese companies in New York face the threat of delisting, traditionally neutral Zurich has become an attractive alternative. That removes the risk that overseas regulators will demand access to mainland companies’ books - the source of a lengthy spat between the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and Beijing. Deutsche Börse (DB1Gn.DE), which operates Frankfurt’s stock exchange, is technically ready to launch the China-Germany Stock Connect, board representative Niels Tomm said in November.

[1/5] Plants grow through an array of solar panels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S., May 6, 2022. REUTERS/Brian SnyderMarch 6 (Reuters) - U.S. imports of solar panels are finally picking up after months of gridlock stemming from implementation of a new law banning goods made with forced labor, according to two Chinese solar companies. The gains are a relief to major Chinese suppliers including Trina Solar (688599.SS) and Jinko Solar (JKS.N), who are finally getting products into the lucrative U.S. market after long delays. Trina rival Jinko Solar Holding Co Ltd (JKS.N) has also had shipments released from detention, a source close to the company said. It would not specify how many of those were solar products.

☆ Bill Gates is ‘very optimistic’ about the future: ‘Better to be born 20 years from now...than any time in the past’
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Bill Gates spends a lot of his time sounding the alarm over existential global threats, like climate change and future pandemics. Yet the billionaire Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist says he's still "very optimistic" about humanity's future on Earth. Even with challenges facing current and future generations, Gates says anyone born in the next few decades will be better off than people born at any previous point in history. Gates asked, noting that the average lifespan for human beings has vastly improved over the past three centuries. "So, the scope of human innovation over time ... is a phenomenal story."

☆ China's LONGi denies circumventing U.S. tariffs on solar panels
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Chinese solar panel maker LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd (601012.SS) said on Monday it will provide evidence to show it is complying with U.S. laws after the U.S. Department of Commerce found it to be circumventing tariffs. The United States will impose new duties on imports from LONGi and three other Chinese solar panel makers, trade officials said on Friday, after an investigation found in a preliminary determination issued last week they were trying to dodge tariffs by finishing products in Southeast Asian countries. During this period, we will actively provide evidence that shows we are compliant with U.S. trade law and not circumventing," LONGi said in a statement sent to Reuters. BYD Co Ltd (002594.SZ), Trina Solar Co Ltd(688599.SS) and Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ.O), also named in the preliminary determination, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. LONGi said it was working on increasing the strategic layout of its global operations, including improving its manufacturing and supply chain for the U.S. market.

☆ U.S. to expand solar panel tariffs after probe finds Chinese evasion
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Nichola Groom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The announcement was welcomed by Auxin Solar, a small U.S. solar panel maker that requested the Commerce investigation in February. Producers including New East Solar, Hanwha Q CELLS, Jinko Solar (JKS.N) and Boviet Solar were found not to be dodging the tariffs, Commerce said. "The only good news here is that Commerce didn't target all imports from the subject countries," Abigail Ross Hopper, president of solar trade group the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), said in an emailed statement. Buyers of solar panels for both large utility projects and residential rooftops say new tariffs will worsen what is already a difficult market for accessing solar energy equipment. The mere threat of new tariffs on solar imports also contributed to a slowdown in project development this year, the industry has said.

☆ Exclusive: U.S. blocks more than 1,000 solar shipments over Chinese slave labor concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Nichola Groom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Nov 11 (Reuters) - More than 1,000 shipments of solar energy components worth hundreds of millions of dollars have piled up at U.S. ports since June under a new law banning imports from China's Xinjiang region over concerns about slave labor, according to federal customs officials and industry sources. The agency would not reveal the manufacturers or confirm details about the quantity of solar equipment in the shipments, citing federal law that protects confidential trade secrets. But the companies have halted new shipments to the United States over concerns additional cargoes will also be detained, the industry sources said. The sources asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. CBP has previously said that it had detained about 1,700 shipments worth $516.3 million under UFLPA through September but has never before detailed how many of those shipments contained solar equipment.

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