SEIA Urges Vice President Biden To Raise Solar Trade Concerns With India

24 July 2013

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has sent a letter to Vice President Joseph Biden urging him to raise concerns about unfair trade practices during his visit to India later this month. The letter was also signed by members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and nearly 40 other U.S. business groups.

The letter indicts India over a wide range of alleged unfair trade practices across many business sectors, including solar. "Unfortunately, many U.S. companies are facing serious issues doing business in India that currently limit the potential of that relationship," the letter states. "These issues are systemic, going far beyond any one industry sector. In the manufacturing, agriculture, telecommunications, biopharmaceutical, solar energy, entertainment, semiconductor and other sectors, many companies face measures that are discriminatory, unfair and/or inconsistent with international norms."

SEIA has been critical of India's local content requirements for solar projects in the past. In June, John Smirnow, SEIA vice president of trade and competitiveness, went before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to object to what he calls India's restrictive trade policies.