BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) trade commissioner Karel De Gucht announced Tuesday that the EU has decided to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of solar panels, cells and wafers from China.

EU imports of Chinese solar products would be subject to a punitive duty of 11.8 percent from June 6 to August 6, from when on, the duty will be raised to 47.6 percent, De Gucht said at a press conference.

"The decision follows a thorough and serious investigation and extended contacts with market players. As the market for the imports of solar panels in the EU is very large, it is important for this duty not to disrupt it," he said.