Up to 271%! US plans to impose tariffs on photovoltaic imports from Southeast Asia

The US Department of Commerce (DoC) has announced a preliminary decision to impose anti-dumping duties on crystalline solar cells imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with tariffs ranging from 21.31% to 271.28%, depending on different countries and companies.

Earlier media speculation came true

This investigation was triggered by a petition submitted by the Solar Manufacturing Council of the United States in April, which expressed concerns that cheap solar cells imported from four Southeast Asian countries would harm the domestic solar market in the United States and undermine US government investments aimed at cultivating domestic supply chains. However, the import of solar cells and modules in the United States mainly comes from these countries. And this investigation is the latest measure taken by American manufacturers to combat overseas competitors.

Related petition content

According to US media reports, some foreign manufacturers and domestic renewable energy developers in the United States believe that anti-dumping duties are unfair to larger photovoltaic panel manufacturers operating in the United States and will also increase the cost of solar projects. Joseph Matthews, a senior professor from Cambodia's Beltie International University, stated that imposing anti-dumping duties on products from ASEAN countries is illogical. It not only fails to revive domestic industries in the United States, but also imposes higher costs and losses on American importers and consumers.

According to the preliminary decision announced by the United States, goods imported from Cambodia face a cash deposit interest rate of 117.12%, while products imported from multiple exporters in Vietnam face cash deposit interest rates ranging from 53.19% to 56.4%. The final ruling of the US Department of Commerce's trade investigation is expected to be announced in April next year, and the US International Trade Agency will make a ruling and announce the final policy in June next year.