EU starts trade investigation into China over solar glass

BRUSSELS (REUTERS) - The European Commission launched an investigation on Thursday into industry claims that Chinese solar glass producers are dumping their products in the European Union at below market value, opening a new front in the trade battle with China.

The Commission said there was sufficient evidence to show possible dumping by Chinese exporters that may be injuring EU industry.

The product accounts for a tiny fraction of the EU's imports of goods from China, which totalled 293 billion euros (S$475 billion) in 2011, but the complaint marks a new challenge from the EU to Chinese exporters and the Beijing government.

Last year, the Commission launched its largest investigation to date, into alleged dumping of, and subsidies for, an annual 21 billion euros of solar panels and components China exports to the EU.