U.S. Finalizes High Tariffs on Southeast Asian Solar Products Amid Trade Dispute
- brg_news_room
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
USA: U.S. trade authorities have finalized significant tariffs on most solar cells imported from Southeast Asia, marking a major development in a year-long trade investigation prompted by accusations of market dumping by Chinese companies. The move aims to protect domestic manufacturers from what they allege are unfairly low-priced imports backed by government subsidies.
The case was initiated last year by a coalition of solar manufacturers, including Korea's Hanwha Qcells, Arizona-based First Solar Inc., and several smaller players. Operating under the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, the group accused major Chinese solar firms of undercutting U.S. producers by routing low-cost panels through factories in Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, often at prices below production cost and supported by unfair state subsidies.
The final tariff rates, announced Monday, vary by manufacturer and country but are generally higher than preliminary duties issued late last year. For example, Jinko Solar’s products from Malaysia will face combined anti-dumping and countervailing duties of 41.56%, while Trina Solar’s goods from Thailand will be hit with a much steeper 375.19%. The harshest penalties apply to Cambodia, where non-cooperation with the investigation led to tariff levels exceeding 3,500%.
The tariffs target nations that collectively supplied over $10 billion worth of solar products to the U.S. in 2023—representing the bulk of America’s solar imports. As a result, shipments from these four Southeast Asian countries have plummeted, while imports from alternate suppliers like Laos and Indonesia have surged.
However, the decision has sparked debate. Industry group Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has warned that these tariffs may backfire, potentially hurting U.S. solar panel assemblers who depend on affordable imported cells. Many of these facilities have grown in response to clean energy incentives introduced under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which aimed to boost domestic manufacturing.
Source: SEIA
