The European Commission is imposing tough levies on Chinese Solar Energy products to stop Beijing from what critics say is “dumping” items on the market below cost.

This is despite the objections of Germany, which sided with China over one of its own companies that first raised the complaints.  EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht agreed with the “Solar World” company and says Chinese panels are being sold below cost and damaging competition.

The levies take effect on Thursday in all 27 European trade bloc nations.  But it’s only a temporary measure designed to bring China to the negotiating table to set a minimum price at which its solar energy products can be sold in Europe.

If China fails to come to an agreement by December, the levies go into effect for five years.

This is the biggest anti-dumping case ever taken up by the European Commission and effects more than A$27 Billion worth of Chinese-made solar panels sold in the EU.