Described as the world's most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century, the Chinese-American bond has always been complex. However, any tension that may have existed between the world's two largest economies has now been brought centre-stage with the latest débâcle surrounding solar panel subsidies. A shrill outcry from seven US-based silicon solar cell makers that Chinese manufacturers were already on the receiving end of numerous financial perks from their own government and therefore did not need a double-dose from American coffers as well, got the ball rolling.

We now take a look at the events which led to the US Department of Commerce's announcement on May 17, 2012, of its affirmative preliminary determination in the anti-dumping duty investigation of imports of crystalline silicon PV cells from China.

International relationships are being further stretched with the European Commission joining the fray and China's retaliatory actions.