EUROPEAN Union member states have cleared an 18-month extension of import tariffs on solar panels from China, a compromise position after initial opposition, sources said Friday.

    Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties have been in place on Chinese solar panels and cells since 2013 and are currently under review as to whether they should be maintained.

    The European Commission had initially proposed a two-year extension, but that was rejected by a majority of EU countries in a vote last month, prompting the Commission to revise its proposal.

    A Commission source said the possibility of a shorter 12-month extension was also raised to the EU’s 28 member states, adding that the Commission would come to a final conclusion in the coming days. The deadline for a decision is March 4.(SD-Agencies)