Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The U.S. military from now on will be able to only “buy American” when it comes to the purchase of solar energy panels—a move that may upset the government of China.
During the closing days of Congress last month, lawmakers inserted language into a military appropriations bill requiring the Department of Defense to buy solar panels exclusively from U.S. manufacturers. The new law effectively cuts China, the top exporter of solar panels, out of the American military market.
News of the requirement comes only a week before Chinese President Hu Jintao’s planned visit to the United States.
Members of Congress have complained that the Chinese government unfairly subsidizes the country’s solar industry, making it difficult for American companies to compete.
China could file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the buy-American provision. However, trade experts insist the language was carefully written to ensure that the law complies with WTO free-trade rules.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Pentagon Must ‘Buy American,’ Barring Chinese Solar Panels (by Keith Bradsher, New York Times)
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