Chinese solar-panel makers are seeking separate trade settlements with the US and the EU to avoid steep tariffs in their biggest markets.
The negotiations are being pushed by a group of Chinese solar companies that include many of the biggest manufacturers. The initiative comes as solar-panel makers in Europe and the US have faced losses and bankruptcies as a result of excess capacity in the world market. Chinese manufacturers are also being hit by punitive tariffs and rising trade tensions.
After ruling that China was unfairly dumping panels in the US market, the US commerce department last year imposed tariffs of more than 30 per cent on Chinese panels. The European Commission is set to unveil tariffs of about 47 per cent within the next two weeks.