A group of European Union parliamentarians have added their voices to calls from climate action groups and much of Europe's solar industry for an end to punitive tariffs on Chinese solar power equipment.

What is going on? Just as everyone else appears to be demanding higher tariffs, amid a predicted return to trade protectionism in Europe and the United States, along comes an unlikely alliance of industry, charities and politicians saying get rid of them.

A letter signed in December by 22 members of the European Parliament, including the vice-chairs of the energy and international trade committees, helps to explain.