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The Diplomat
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
US Solar Manufacturers Seek New Tariffs on Imports From India, Southeast Asia
Previous tariffs have prompted Chinese manufacturers to shift their operations to Indonesia and Laos, while low-cost Indian solar imports are also on the rise. A group of American solar panel manufacturers has asked the U.S. Commerce Department to impose tariffs on solar imports from Indonesia, Laos, and India, a month after Washington imposed hefty tariffs on solar products from four Southeast Asian nations. According to Reuters, the complaint was filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, a group representing several major solar equipment producers, including South Korea's Hanwha Qcells USA Inc. and the U.S. firm First Solar Inc. The complaint requests investigations into 'illegal trade practices by largely Chinese-owned manufacturers operating in Laos and Indonesia, as well as companies headquartered in India,' according to a statement from the Alliance. It accuses companies based in three nations of receiving unfair government subsidies and of selling their products below the cost of production in the United States, which threatens to undercut U.S. producers. 'We have always said, vigorous enforcement of our trade laws is critical to the success of this industry,' Tim Brightbill, the lead attorney for the Alliance, said in the statement. As PV magazine noted, the new cases 'extend a marathon struggle begun in 2011 that has focused on imports from Chinese companies. As they have relocated factory assets ahead of tariffs resulting from the cases, the domestic industry has refocused on litigation against imports from new country targets.' In May, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) ruled in the Alliance's favor in two similar complaints regarding solar imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. In its ruling, the Commission determined that the U.S. solar industry had been 'materially injured by reason of imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules,' from the four nations. The Commerce Department subsequently imposed a series of varied tariffs on solar products from the four countries, which reached as high as 3,500 percent in the case of some solar panels and components from Cambodia. The tariffs came into effect on June 16. However, as with previous rulings, this action merely prompted agile solar manufacturers to relocate their operations to nations not yet subject to U.S. tariffs. Trade data showed a sharp decline in U.S. solar imports from Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand after the initiation of the complaint in April 2024. Meanwhile, even before the latest batch of complaints had been concluded, 'the same Chinese-backed companies wasted no time shifting operations to Laos and Indonesia, and companies in India joined in to continue undercutting American producers,' Brightbill said in the statement. 'We have always said vigorous enforcement of our trade laws is critical to the success of this industry.' The Alliance cited figures showing that solar imports from the three nations combined were $1.6 billion last year, up from just $289 million in 2022. However, the Alliance's campaign against cheap imports has not been universally supported. Opponents, including the Solar Energy Industries Association, which testified to the USITC against the petitioners in its last case involving imports from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, said that the May decision was 'concerning for American solar manufacturers' and would harm 'solar module producers that depend on access to imported solar cells.' This is especially the case given the broader policy orientation of the Trump administration, which, in an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on July 7, announced that it was tightening up on access to federal solar and wind credits. 'For too long, the Federal Government has forced American taxpayers to subsidize expensive and unreliable energy sources like wind and solar,' the order stated. 'Ending the massive cost of taxpayer handouts to unreliable energy sources is vital to energy dominance, national security, economic growth, and the fiscal health of the Nation.' Today, Politico reported that 'solar and wind energy projects must now get Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's personal sign-off to receive permits across the hundreds of millions of federal acres under his department's control,' citing an internal memo from the Department of the Interior. It said that the memo 'puts wind and solar projects under heightened scrutiny, potentially slowing approvals and construction across vast swaths of some of the most sun- and wind-rich portions of the country.'
Mint
17-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
US solar giants demand tariffs in new trade battle against India, Indonesia and Laos
Major U.S. solar companies First Solar, Qcells, Talon PV, and Mission Solar formally asked the U.S. Commerce Department to impose heavy fees on solar panel imports from Indonesia, India, and Laos. Their July 11 petition claims manufacturers in these countries sell panels below fair value, a practice called 'dumping', while receiving illegal government subsidies. The group, called the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, previously won similar tariffs against Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand earlier this year. The alliance argues manufacturers simply relocated from tariff-hit Southeast Asian nations to Indonesia and Laos to continue 'flooding the U.S. market with artificially cheap panels'. Indian producers face fresh accusations of using government aid to undercut American prices by 40-60%. "These countries became the next dumping grounds after our last victory," said alliance lawyer Tim Brightbill. Commerce Department data shows imports from the three targeted nations surged 78% in Q1 2024 as other Asian supplies dropped. Domestic producers warn new tariffs are essential to protect $20+ billion in recent U.S. factory investments. First Solar is expanding Ohio production while Qcells builds a $2.5 billion Georgia supply chain, projects creating 8,000 jobs. Without tariffs, they argue Chinese-backed companies will 'crush American solar manufacturing before it scales up'. The petition specifically names eight foreign producers, including Laos' SunKing and India's Waaree Energies. Asian governments and climate advocates oppose the tariffs, warning they could raise U.S. solar prices by 30% and slow clean energy adoption. The US Commerce Department must decide by August 12 whether to investigate. The move tests the White House' balancing act between supporting domestic manufacturing and keeping solar affordable amid climate goals.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dumping allegations: US solar panel manufacturers want tariffs on India, Indonesia & Laos imports; aim to protect billions of dollars of investment
Representative image A coalition of leading US solar panel manufacturers has filed a formal petition urging the US commerce department to impose tariffs on solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The group alleges that producers in these countries are flooding the American market with artificially low-priced solar panels, harming the domestic solar manufacturing industry. According to a Reuters report, the petition, submitted on Thursday by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, includes major industry players such as First Solar, Qcells (Hanwha's solar division), Talon PV, and Mission Solar. The alliance claims companies in the three countries are selling solar products below production costs and are benefiting from unfair government subsidies. According to the petitioners, Chinese-owned manufacturers have shifted operations to Indonesia and Laos to circumvent existing US tariffs on imports from other Southeast Asian countries. Indian manufacturers are also accused of dumping low-cost panels into the US market. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo The group highlighted a dramatic rise in solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos — jumping from $289 million in 2022 to $1.6 billion in 2023. The surge has raised concerns among US solar producers about the impact on recent investments aimed at boosting domestic solar manufacturing. "We have always said, vigorous enforcement of our trade laws is critical to the success of this industry,' said Tim Brightbill, lead attorney for the petitioners. US solar manufacturing and inflation reduction act While the majority of solar panels installed in the US are still imported, American manufacturing capacity has expanded significantly since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022. The law provides tax credits to boost domestic clean energy production and reduce dependence on Chinese-made solar panels. The US now has around 50 gigawatts of solar panel production capacity, up from 7 GW in 2020. However, demand continues to outpace supply, with installations expected to reach nearly 43 GW annually through 2030, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Next steps: Commerce department review The US department of commerce has 20 days to decide whether to launch an investigation into the alleged dumping and subsidy practices. If it proceeds, the case could lead to new tariffs within a year, depending on the outcome of the investigation. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
17-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
US solar panel makers urge tariffs on Indian imports amid ongoing talks over India-US trade deal. Here's why
A group of US solar panel manufacturers has urged the Commerce Department to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports from India over allegations that Indian manufacturers are dumping cheap goods in the United States to undermine domestic producers, according to a report by news agency Reuters, citing a statement. The group has sought similar duties in Indonesia and Laos. The petition, filed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, is the most recent attempt by the small US solar manufacturing sector to secure trade relief. It aims to protect billions of dollars of investments and compete against products primarily made by Chinese companies abroad. The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade includes First Solar, Hanwha's Qcells, Talon PV, and Mission Solar. The group earlier succeeded in securing tariffs on imports from Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. These tariffs were imposed earlier this year, causing some global producers to shift production to Indonesia and Laos. Both countries filled the import gap as shipments from other South Asian countries fell. In May, Indonesia and Laos made up 44 per cent of US cell and module imports, a significant increase from 1.9 per cent in the same month last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. India's solar exports to the US have risen since mid-2022. "We have always said, vigorous enforcement of our trade laws is critical to the success of this industry,' Tim Brightbill, lead attorney for the petitioners, was quoted by Reuters. The latest trade petition has initiated a process where the US Department of Commerce probes whether imports are unfairly priced or subsidised by a foreign government, and the US International Trade Commission decides whether those imports have harmed the domestic industry. New duties may be imposed if the allegations are proven right, Bloomberg News reported.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
US trade panel's vote paves way for stiff tariffs on many solar imports
HANOI/PHNOM PENH (Reuters): The US International Trade Commission determined on Tuesday that domestic solar panel makers were materially harmed or threatened by a flood of cheap imports from four South-East Asian nations, bringing the United States a step closer to imposing stiff duties on those goods. The "yes" vote by the three-member ITC means the Commerce Department will issue orders to enforce countervailing and anti-dumping tariffs on solar products imported from Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam that the agency finalised last month. The vote resolves a year-old trade case in which American manufacturers accused Chinese companies of flooding the market with unfairly cheap goods from factories in South-East Asia. Since that time, President Donald Trump has pursued a broad strategy to impose tariffs on imported products to protect manufacturers of U.S.-made goods. The Commerce Department cannot impose tariffs unless the ITC finds that the domestic industry was harmed or threatened by overseas rivals receiving unfair subsidies and dumping products in the U.S. market. The outcome of the vote was posted in a brief notice on the ITC's web site. It was not immediately clear how each commissioner voted. The trade case was brought last year by Korea's Hanwha Qcells, Arizona-based First Solar Inc and several smaller producers seeking to protect billions of dollars in investments in U.S. solar manufacturing. "(Tuesday's) vote leaves no doubt: these Chinese-headquartered companies have been violating trade laws by overwhelming the US market with unfairly cheap, dumped and subsidized solar panels - and they continue to do so from third-party markets around the world, undermining US industrial strategy and stunting new investment," Tim Brightbill, the lead attorney for the petitioning group, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, said in a statement. "This cannot stand. Our growing American industry deserves - and now will have - the chance to compete fairly," Brightbill said. The vast majority of panels installed in the United States are imported from Asia. In 2022, former President Joe Biden's signature climate change law, the Inflation Reduction Act, created a tax credit for clean energy manufacturing, and more than 100 solar factories have been announced or expanded since then, according to the American Clean Power Association trade group. A top US solar trade group, the Solar Energy Industries Association, said new tariffs would actually harm domestic producers by increasing costs for panel buyers. "(Tuesday's) decision by the US International Trade Commission is concerning for American solar manufacturers and the broader US. solar industry," SEIA President Abigail Ross Hopper said in a statement. "The USITC's final affirmative injury determination adds an additional layer of tariffs that will raise costs for the solar products American companies need to build projects and grow domestic manufacturing." (Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Will Dunham) - Reuters
