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U.S. Proposes Hefty Tariffs up to 3500% on Solar Panels Imported from Southeast Asia Countries

U.S. trade authorities have determined tariff rates for the majority of solar panels imported from Southeast Asia, moving closer to concluding a 12-month-old dispute in which U.S. manufacturers alleged that Chinese firms were dumping inexpensive, subsidized products onto the market.

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Solar panels floating across Selangor, Malaysia, captured in May 2023.
Solar panels floating across Selangor, Malaysia, captured in May 2023.

U.S. Proposes Hefty Tariffs up to 3500% on Solar Panels Imported from Southeast Asia Countries

Unleashing the Solar Battlefront

The US commerce department has set the final tariff rates for solar cells imported from Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, marking a culmination of a year-long trade dispute. This decision is scheduled for final approval by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in June.

Last year, complaints were lodged by Korean solar giant Hanwha Qcells, First Solar Inc of Arizona, and smaller producers regarding the dumping of cheap, unfairly produced solar goods from Chinese manufacturers in these Southeast Asian countries.

These opponents claimed Chinese solar panel manufacturers with factories in Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam were selling panels at costs lower than production and acquiring unfair subsidies, thus making American goods less competitive.

These elevated tariffs will be passed if the ITC, in their June vote, agrees that the US solar industry has indeed suffered material harm due to the imported, dumped, and subsidized goods. tariffs announced on Monday vary widely depending on the company and country.

For instance, Jinko Solar products from Malaysia face combined dumping and countervailing duties of 41.56%. On the other hand, Trina Solar's products from its Thailand operations face tariffs of a whopping 375.19%. However, products from non-cooperative Cambodian producers will be slapped with tariffs exceeding 3,500%.

When asked about the impact of these tariffs, Tim Brightbill, an attorney for the US manufacturing group, stated, "These are very strong results... [they] will address the unfair trade practices of the Chinese-owned companies in these four countries, which have been injuring the US solar manufacturing industry for far too long."

These tariffs have significantly reshaped the global solar trade landscape. Imports from the affected nations have plummeted this year compared to a year ago, while imports from countries such as Laos and Indonesia have risen.

However, critics, including the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), have expressed concerns, arguing that these tariffs would lead to higher prices on imported cells, thereby impacting American solar panel factories. As of this writing, the SEIA remains unavailable for comment.

  1. The final tariff rates for solar cells imported from Southeast Asian countries, such as Jinko Solar products from Malaysia, have been announced, marking a significant impact on the global solar trade industry.
  2. These tariffs, which vary widely depending on the company and country, were initiated due to complaints about the dumping and unfair subsidies of Chinese-owned companies, like those with factories in Malaysia, causing material harm to the US solar industry.
  3. The tariffs announced on Monday for Jinko Solar products from Malaysia are 41.56% in combined dumping and countervailing duties, while Trina Solar's products from Thailand face tariffs of 375.19%.
  4. Critics, including the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), have expressed concerns that these tariffs could lead to higher prices on imported cells, potentially impacting American solar panel factories and the overall financial health of the US solar industry.

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