Tuesday, 3rd December 2024

US International Trade Administration

The U.S. Commerce Department has announced new tariffs on solar panel imports from Southeast Asia, extending anti-dumping duties to solar cells, which were previously only applied to finished modules. The move is expected to increase consumer prices and reduce producer profit margins, though it aligns with industry expectations. Analysts believe these tariffs will ultimately encourage U.S. production. Affected producers may seek alternative sources from Laos and Indonesia or absorb the cost impact. The tariffs come after a trade case accusing Chinese firms of unfairly selling below-cost solar components in the U.S. The new duties could further affect solar imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, which accounted for 80% of U.S. solar imports in 2023.