Chinese solar makers refuse US dumping ruling

Leaders of China's solar power industry have rejected a U.S. antidumping ruling and say proposed punitive tariffs might disrupt efforts to promote clean energy.

The companies on Friday denied receiving improper subsidies and said they would fight proposed duties of 31.2 percent. U.S. trade regulators announced the higher tariffs Thursday.

The ruling is likely to fuel U.S.-Chinese tensions over complaints of improper subsidies and access to each other's markets for steel, tires and other goods.

The chairman of one of China's biggest solar equipment manufacturers, Yingli Green Energy, said higher tariffs would be "disruptive and destructive" to the global industry.