White House Targets Chinese Solar Imports: Tariffs on Dual-sided Panels and Blocking Circumventing Exports through Southeast Asia

The U.S. government has decided to reimpose tariffs on made-in-China dual-sided solar panels. This move comes on the heels of increasing tariffs on China-made solar cells to 50%, which doubles the existing rate, and shows that the U.S. government is targeting the Chinese solar industry.

The White House announced on the 16th (local time) that it would end the tariff exemption on the US’s dual-sided solar panels.

The US typically imposes a 14.25% tariff on solar panels under Section 201 of the Trade Act, but dual-sided solar panels were exempt from the tariff. However, as the exemption allowed made-in-China products to dominate the U.S. market, the White House decided to end this exemption.

The White House stated in a press release, “As imports of dual-sided panels have skyrocketed since the exception was implemented by the previous administration, they (dual-sided panels) currently make up the majority of imported solar panels,” and “as a result, the safeguard effect of Section 201 of the Trade Act is weakening.”

Additionally, to block the practice of Chinese companies circumventing exports through four Southeast Asian countries – Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia, the US also decided to end the tariff exemption on solar panels from these countries. The tariff exemption for these four Southeast Asian countries will end on the 6th of next month.

On the 14th, the U.S. government announced a plan to impose high tariffs using Section 301 of the Trade Act on imported products from China, including solar cells.

The US’s trade war with China is expected to continue. Reuters reported that the U.S. government plans to announce a 25% tariff on made-in-China synthetic graphite by the end of this month.