The U.S. has finalized significant tariffs on solar cells imported from Southeast Asia, concluding a year-long trade investigation instigated by American manufacturers including Hanwha Qcells and First Solar. The petitioners, part of the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, accused Chinese companies operating in Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam of selling solar panels at below-cost prices and benefiting from unfair subsidies, thereby harming U.S. solar producers.

Tariff Details:

• Cambodia: A blanket rate of 117.12% has been imposed on imports. ​

• Malaysia: Rates vary by company, with Jinko Solar facing 17.84% and other suppliers up to 81.24%. Hanwha Qcells Malaysia received a 0% rate.

• Thailand: Trina Solar faces a dumping margin of 77.85%, while other companies have rates up to 154.68%.

• Vietnam: Companies like JA Solar and Jinko Solar face rates ranging from 53.19% to 56.4%, with unspecified exporters subject to a rate of 271.28%. ​

Industry Impact:

Supporters view the tariffs as a necessary response to protect the U.S. solar industry, which suffered from unfair competition. However, critics, including the Solar Energy Industries Association, argue the tariffs could increase costs for U.S. producers reliant on imported components, potentially undermining recent growth in domestic solar manufacturing driven by clean energy subsidies introduced in 2022.

The International Trade Commission will vote in June to determine whether the U.S. industry was materially harmed by the imports, a requirement for the tariffs to take full effect.