Washington: The U.S. Commerce Department has announced tariffs on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam following allegations of market dumping. The decision stems from a trade complaint by Hanwha Qcells, First Solar Inc., and other U.S. manufacturers seeking to safeguard domestic solar investments.
Dumping duties range from 21.31% to 271.2%, varying by company and country of origin. Key determinations include:
Jinko Solar: 21.31% for Malaysian products and 56.51% for Vietnamese-made panels.
Trina Solar: 77.85% for Thai products and 54.46% for Vietnamese goods.
Hanwha Qcells: No dumping margin for Malaysian products but a 14.72% subsidy rate calculated earlier.
The tariffs target about 80% of solar panel imports to the U.S., primarily originating from these four nations. The action follows concerns about China’s significant investments in clean energy manufacturing, accused of driving global prices down through overcapacity.
This aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden’s landmark climate law, which incentivizes clean energy manufacturing in the U.S. The tariffs are seen as part of broader efforts to bolster domestic production while addressing international trade imbalances.
