US steelworkers have backed Congress members who have called for protection from the Chinese clean energy sector.

The letter to President Obama sent by 59 Congressmen focuses on a recent trade case filed by the US solar energy industry against Chinese imports.

The letter confronts what it calls China’s predatory, protectionist and illegal trade practices in the alternative and renewable energy sectors.

Leo W. Gerard from the US Steelworkers’ union said: “Ten years ago, China ascended to the World Trade Organisation with a promise to abide by free and fair rules of trade. China continues to massively subsidise their industries, to exclude others from exporting competitive products to their markets, to require transfers of technology and engage in countless practices to the disadvantage of other trading nations.”

Mr Gerard and his union has called on the President to act to redress the trade issue.