U.S. Plans Tariffs Up to 3,521% on Solar Imports from Southeast Asia

The US Commerce Department has revealed intentions to apply tariffs as high as 3,521% on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian nations.

This follows an inquiry that commenced a year earlier when numerous prominent solar equipment manufacturers urged the administration of then-President Joe Biden to safeguard their operations in the United States.

The suggested tariffs aimed at businesses in Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are a reaction to claims of Chinese subsidies and the dumping of excessively cheap goods in the US market. A different US government body, the International Trade Commission, is expected to make a final ruling on the new tariffs in June.

The tariffs referred to as countervailing and anti-dumping duties differ among companies and the nations where their products are manufactured.  Certain solar equipment exporters in Cambodia encounter the maximum duties of 3,521% due to perceived non-cooperation with the investigation conducted by the Commerce Department.

Goods produced in Malaysia by the Chinese company Jinko Solar encountered relatively low duties of just above 41%.  Another company from China, Trina Solar, encounters tariffs of 375% on the goods it produces in Thailand.

Although the proposed tariffs may aid US solar panel producers, they could also result in higher expenses for companies and consumers who have enjoyed the access to more affordable solar goods.

Trump has currently enforced tariffs as high as 145% on imports from China. Other nations are currently encountering a uniform US tariff of 10% until July. His administration announced last week that when the new tariffs are combined with current ones, the taxes on certain Chinese products might hit 245%.