Latest news with #InternationalTradeCommission
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon companies call for investigation into countries accused of ‘dumping' exports
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Two Oregon companies are among those leading the charge against industries accused of mishandling foreign imports. Published to the Federal Register on Thursday, a shows officials are launching an 'anti-dumping' and countervailing duty investigation against China, Indonesia and Vietnam. Bill that would end statute of limitations for Oregon child sex abuse suits moves ahead The World Trade Organization refers to dumping as This occurs when products are sold at a higher cost in their origin country than they are in the receiving country. WTO's anti-dumping agreement allows governments to take action against the practice if it hurts their industry. 'In order to do that the government has to be able to show that dumping is taking place, calculate the extent of dumping (how much lower the export price is compared to the exporter's home market price), and show that the dumping is causing injury or threatening to do so,' the . As a result, investigators are now working to determine whether China, Indonesia and Vietnam are subsidizing hardwood and decorative plywood imported to the U.S. The International Trade Commission's notice comes after the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood filed a petition on May 22. and Springfield's are two of five entities in the coalition. ITC's Office of Investigations has invited the impacted businesses to attend a meeting about the first phase of the investigation on Thursday, June 12 at 9:30 a.m. MAPS: Oregon falls back into drought, wildfire threat increases The commission is expected to issue its preliminary decision by July 7, unless it receives an extension from the U.S. Department of Commerce. If not, the agency will share its findings with the commerce department by July 14. The case could result in anti-dumping actions like increased import duties on hardwood and plywood, to bring the cost closer to what it would be in its origin country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Gloomy Days For Global Solar Power
The tariffs announced by the Trump Administration at the beginning of April have cast a shadow across international energy supply chains. The new policies were delayed for ninety days less than a week later, and the much-feared shortages and price hikes haven't yet materialized. Nevertheless, the mood in the industry remains pessimistic. In May, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that companies based in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are dumping solar panel cells at low rates into the U.S. market while receiving subsidies from the Chinese government, setting the stage for the imposition of tariffs on all parties involved. The paradox is that, for years, the United States encouraged the transfer of industrial production from China to these Southeast Asian countries. The rationalization was that while 'friendshoring' would still partially enrich China, it would decrease China's profit share while empowering neighbors with contentious relations to Beijing and friendlier attitudes towards Washington. Now, the Trump administration and the solar power industry must contend not only with likely supply chain disruptions but also with the possibility that the tariffs designed to harm Chinese manufacturing and empower America could have precisely the opposite effect. The International Trade Commission has until June 2nd to decide whether to accept the DOC's final determination. If tariffs are imposed, domestic results will be mixed. American solar manufacturers, which filed the initial complaint in 2024 and triggered the DOC's investigation, will likely benefit immediately from relief from overseas competition. However, in the short term, the price of solar panels in the United States is likely to rise. Since news about the tariffs broke, companies like First Solar have seen significant decreases in their stock prices. Tariff proponents argue that, in the longer term, the American solar industry will expand, bringing jobs to the US. Currently, 77% of all American solar module imports originate in the countries named in the DOC's report. U.S. solar manufacturing has grown in recent years and will need to continue to do so to meet the predicted increase in demand. The American solar cell industry produced only 2.2% of the global supply in 2023, while the demand for solar technology and for energy overall continues to grow rapidly. Even with tariffs in place, the high cost of US manufacturing may hinder the transition to solar energy in America. The Southeast Asian market is heavily linked to China, the world's foremost solar energy leader. Beijing controls roughly 80% of the global solar supply chain and continues focusing on growing the industry abroad. Chinese domestic electricity production capacity from solar also continues to grow, boasting a 227 gigawatt increase in 2024. This brought it to the top rank globally at 887 GW – more than quadruple that of the second-place United States. Cambodian, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese solar manufacturers could sell back to China, break into the emerging Middle Eastern and European markets, or focus more on their largely untapped domestic markets. Experts believe that roadblocks remain for demand to increase exponentially in domestic South-Eastern markets, as buy-in and infrastructure tend to be lacking in these markets. In light of the coming tariffs, many Chinese and foreign-owned solar cell manufacturers have already moved out of the four countries. The path ahead for the United States will necessitate substantial investment and growth in American solar cell production. The White House has placed greater emphasis on promoting fossil fuels and nuclear energy rather than on renewable energy. However, limiting China's market share in the solar energy industry is critical to reducing its value offerings overseas. On the other hand, American renewable energy continues to grow, and even outproduced fossil fuels in terms of total electricity flowing to the U.S. grid for the first time in March 2025. Reports indicate that even in the face of a government skeptical of clean energy, rising electricity demand will enable 'green' production to grow rapidly. China is likely to maintain its current course, regardless of the tariffs. The Chinese government is far from pleased with the recent developments, warning not only of negative consequences but also potential breaches in World Trade Organization rules by the United States. There is the possibility of further retaliatory tariffs from Beijing. Still, China primarily focuses on growing its international influence rather than wrestling with the United States. Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam will face the brunt of the economic harm from these tariffs. This economic dislocation may be a boon to Beijing's regional foreign policy aspirations. Vietnam has already come to the negotiating table looking to avoid the worst of what the tariffs could bring, and others may follow suit. As with the broader wave of tariffs announced at the beginning of April, a pause, reduced rates, or even the abandonment of the solar production tariffs remain possible. However, if implemented, these tariffs could drive significant shifts in the global distribution of photovoltaic panel and component production, adversely affecting the competitiveness of the American solar industry and impacting US ties with South Asian partners.
Politico
21-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
3,500 percent solar tariff divides US industry
There's a new solar tariff in town, and it's a biggie. An independent federal agency has backed imposing levies as high as 3,521 percent on China-linked solar imports from four Southeast Asian countries, writes Christa Marshall. The International Trade Commission concluded unanimously that U.S. manufacturers have been 'materially injured' by imported solar cells and panels from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The commission's finding clears the way for the Commerce Department to issue the trade penalties. The news is drawing mixed reactions from a solar industry already facing massive headwinds from the Trump administration's efforts to undermine Biden-era clean energy policies. The Solar Energy Industries Association, the industry's leading trade group, said the decision would raise costs for manufacturers and project developers that still rely on foreign parts. 'Imposing additional tariffs on cell imports at this stage risks stalling progress and undermining the very industry they are meant to support,' said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA's president and CEO. But several U.S. solar manufacturers, including industry leader First Solar, applauded the decision as a major win. They have long contended that China unfairly subsidizes companies in Southeast Asian countries to flood the U.S. market with cheaper solar components. 'This ruling is a step forward in addressing China's continuing efforts to undermine the U.S. manufacturing rebuilding effort,' Mike Carr with the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition told Christa. Not so fast … Still, even domestic solar manufacturers say the new tariffs may amount to diddly squat if GOP lawmakers slash Biden-era benefits for the industry in their massive budget bill. The bill would weaken or ax provisions in Democrats' 2022 climate law that benefit the solar industry, including for domestic manufacturers. 'All the trade protections in the world won't make a difference if Congress backtracks on its commitments to reshore this critical industry,' Carr said. Provisions in the climate law have helped domestic production of solar panels grow sixfold since 2023. Solar manufacturing jumped from less than $1 billion in annual investments in 2022 to nearly $6 billion last year, according to research firm Rhodium Group. The Republican megabill that moved through the House Ways and Means Committee this month could imperil 300 solar and storage facilities and cut solar power generation equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of Pennsylvania by 2023, according to a SEIA analysis. It's Wednesday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Arianna Skibell. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to askibell@ Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: James Bikales breaks down how House Republicans' reconciliation package could undermine President Donald Trump's efforts to create a domestic supply chain for critical minerals. Power Centers Zeldin vs. Senate Democrats Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin sparred angrily with a top Senate Democrat over the cancellation of hundreds of agency grants awarded during the Biden administration, writes Sean Reilly. During the hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Zeldin and ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) descended into a shouting match over the mechanics of how those cancellations were decided. The heated exchange underscores Democrats' bitterness over the Trump administration's efforts to take back billions of dollars in Biden-era grants awarded by EPA and other agencies. Offshore wind resurrection raises quid pro quo queries Trump's sudden decision Monday to lift his stop-work order on Empire Wind 1, a major New York offshore wind farm, prompted widespread speculation that the president had extracted a commitment from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to green-light a natural gas pipeline, writes Benjamin Storrow. The governor, a Democrat, insisted no such deal was made, even as her aides noted Hochul was not opposed to a new pipeline — provided it meet all the necessary permitting requirements. Wildfires rage as EU delays anti-deforestation rulesGlobal forest loss from climate-change-fueled wildfires reached a 20-year high in 2024, leading to the destruction of some of the planet's most important natural carbon sinks, writes Louise Guillot. The finding, detailed in a new report from the World Resources Institute and the University of Maryland, comes as the EU delays anti-deforestation rules and unwinds other environmental protections in a bid to boost economic competitiveness. In Other News Study: Earth's major climate goal is too warm for the polar ice sheets. Pesky pests: What climate change means for summertime bugs. Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. The Interior Department said it's begun the process of evaluating a possible offshore mineral lease sale in U.S. waters off American Samoa, the first such auction in more than three decades. The Trump administration said Wednesday it is redirecting $365 million intended to expand rooftop solar and storage in Puerto Rico to the island's unreliable power grid. Environmental and Appalachian advocacy groups are demanding a full Senate hearing — and not just a vote — to question Trump's pick to lead the Mine Safety and Health Administration amid budget and staffing cuts. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.
Bloomberg
20-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
US Tariffs on Asian Solar Gear Hit 3,521% After Panel Vote
US duties on solar equipment from four Southeast Asian countries are now set to take effect, following a government trade commission's conclusion Tuesday the imports threaten domestic manufacturers. With a vote Tuesday, the International Trade Commission concluded imported solar cells and modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam were injuring domestic manufacturers. The determination was a key final threshold for duties to take full effect, setting the stage for collections in June.
CNA
19-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Commentary: Southeast Asia solar panel manufacturers are over-reliant on American demand
SINGAPORE: Washington is planning to introduce steep tariffs on solar cells from Southeast Asian manufacturers, following a year-long investigation by the US Department of Commerce on 'unfair trade practices'. The tariffs, announced on Apr 22, target companies in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, and run as high as 3,400 per cent. The investigation found that companies in each country benefited from subsidies from the Chinese government, making their products cheaper and American products uncompetitive. The US' International Trade Commission will finalise the tariffs in June. Though proponents may celebrate the tariffs as victory for American solar manufacturers, this development adds more tension to global trade. Importers of solar cells are familiar with tariffs, as multiple US administrations have applied them to protect the domestic industry since 2011. Last month's announcement was the highest yet. Given this new level, many are concerned about the increase in expenses for solar installations in the US. For Southeast Asia manufacturers, questions linger on whether they can survive a downturn in US demand. GROWTH IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SOLAR MANUFACTURING Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam collectively play a key role in the supply chain of solar modules, accounting for 20 per cent of global exports in 2023. These countries supply 80 per cent of the US's solar equipment imports. The solar industry in Southeast Asia witnessed significant growth after 2012. Chinese companies shifted their production to the region, in response to US tariffs imposed to curb underpriced Chinese-made solar panels. China dominates all stages of the global solar supply chain, and manufacturers in Southeast Asia and other nations rely on Chinese upstream inputs such as polysilicon, the raw material of solar cells. Polysilicon production is hard to shift elsewhere because it requires heavy capital upfront, constant access to raw materials and significant energy. With massive government support, China has the competitive advantage. NEED TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON FOREIGN DEMAND Southeast Asia has seen a slowdown of solar panel production since mid-2024, after a US tariff reprieve expired. Chinese-linked companies operating in Southeast Asia found that their profit margin, which could reach as high as 40 per cent, was eroded. Continued losses from oversupply and fierce price competition with China's top solar firms might have contributed to the situation. Trump's tariff announcements will put more pressure on manufacturers in Southeast Asia. This situation underscores the vulnerability of the regional solar industry's dependence on US exports. Foreign investment can bring positive spillover effects to host countries; however, there is a risk when it is unrelated to domestic demand. For example, Malaysia has a solar panel manufacturing capacity of 23.6 gigawatts, but its installed capacity is only 4.2 gigawatts, leaving it vulnerable to an abrupt change in export demand. Other solar manufacturing countries in Southeast Asia have similar imbalances between export and domestic demands. At present, solar installation in the region lacks ambition owing to multiple factors, including continued dependence on fossil fuels, regulatory hurdles and grid connectivity issues. The increase in Chinese solar manufacturing investment in Laos and Indonesia, nations unaffected by import duties, since 2022 signals the expansion of production bases. However, the move is arguably for short-term gains, as the US is likely to extend its trade measures to close any loophole. Southeast Asia may attempt to diversify export markets; however, over-dependence on foreign demand should be managed carefully. Considering global trade restrictions, domestic markets in Southeast Asia may serve as hedges against external risks. Indeed, this is a golden opportunity for Southeast Asian economies to ramp up their own solar power capacity. This will help reduce their vulnerabilities to price volatility associated with fossil fuel markets, meet decarbonisation targets and prepare for the growing demand for green electricity within Southeast Asia. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE US SOLAR INDUSTRY Will Trump's tariffs on Southeast Asian manufacturers boost the American solar industry? A US study in 2024 found that solar tariffs led to some gains for US manufacturers, but higher prices for consumers and losses in environmental benefits. Industrial policy such as financial incentives and manufacturing tax credits is viewed as the more efficient approach for supporting the solar industry, as opposed to reliance on trade policy. Nevertheless, more evidence is necessary to determine the effect of high import tariffs on the solar industry. US solar production and supply chain growth are also contingent upon Trump's climate policies, including his decisions to undermine the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The policy, signed by the Biden administration in 2022, supports clean energy projects through incentives and tax credits, enabling a four-fold increase in solar manufacturing capacity in two years. Reversing the IRA is a poor decision, as it could dampen long-term industrial strategies, hinder job growth and cause the US to fall far behind its peers in meeting climate goals. Despite sector consolidation and price adjustments in the short to medium term, China is expected to maintain its market position and cost competitiveness. It will take years for American solar factories to catch up. In the short and medium term, solar panel price hikes will affect US consumers, possibly slowing solar panel installations as developers navigate new constraints. Current developments also highlight the dynamic nature of the global solar industry. Achieving clean energy targets means that governments will need to adapt to changing trade policies and market conditions.
