EU Closes China Solar Probe Amid Firm Withdrawals

• EU closes probes into Chinese bids for Romanian solar park as companies withdraw, citing commitment to EU climate goals. Controversy over subsidy regulation enforcement continues.

The European Union has announced the closure of probes into bids by Chinese firms for a Romanian solar park, as the companies have decided to withdraw from the tender. The potential bidders, including a German unit of LONGi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd., have all signaled their intention to pull out, according to EU industry commissioner Thierry Breton. The investigations were launched last month under the bloc's foreign subsidies regulation, aimed at preventing state-funded companies from unfairly competing with EU rivals.

This is the second instance of Chinese companies withdrawing from a tender after an inquiry was opened under the subsidy regulation. LONGi confirmed its withdrawal from the procurement, stating its commitment to working with partners across Europe to help the bloc achieve its climate goals. The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU expressed concerns about the European Commission's "selective" information disclosure under the subsidy tool, accusing the EU of selective enforcement against Chinese companies in the bidding process.

Why are Chinese firms withdrawing from bids for Romanian solar park?

• Chinese firms are withdrawing from bids for the Romanian solar park due to concerns over the EU's foreign subsidies regulation.
• LONGi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd.'s German unit is among the companies that have decided to pull out of the tender.
• This is the second instance of Chinese companies withdrawing from a tender after an inquiry was opened under the subsidy regulation.
• LONGi has confirmed its withdrawal from the procurement, citing its commitment to working with partners across Europe to help the bloc achieve its climate goals.
• The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU has expressed concerns about the European Commission's "selective" information disclosure under the subsidy tool.
• The EU has been accused of selective enforcement against Chinese companies in the bidding process, leading to the withdrawal of Chinese firms from the Romanian solar park tender.