The US Department of Commerce set preliminary duties on solar imports from Southeast Asia, after an initial finding that the equipment is benefiting from illegal government aid.
The determination marks an early victory for domestic panel makers who say cheap imports are harming their operations and threatening investments meant to cultivate a US solar supply chain. They asked the government to impose the duties, arguing the equipment benefits from unfair foreign subsidies and is being sold at prices below the cost of production.
The targeted nations provide the bulk of US solar cell and module imports, and the swift imposition of countervailing duties means renewable developers would face higher prices for that equipment right away. For many imports from Thailand and Vietnam, rates would apply retroactively, going back 90 days to early July.
Photo: Reuters
The case marks only the latest bid by US manufacturers to confront overseas rivals, beginning with similar duties on solar imports from China about 12 years ago. Chinese manufacturers responded by setting up operations in other Asian nations that were not affected by the tariffs.
Chinese officials have said new tariffs threaten to slow the speed of the US energy transition and its fight against climate change. The case has drawn opposition from some foreign manufacturers and domestic renewable power developers who argue tariffs could give an unfair advantage to larger incumbent US manufacturers while raising the cost of solar power projects.
“We need effective solutions that support US solar manufacturers and, at the same time, help us deploy clean energy at the scale and the speed we need to tackle climate change and serve growing electricity demand here in the US,” Solar Energy Industries Association president Abigail Ross Hopper said.
“While we recognize the challenging market landscape for domestic manufacturers in the short term, these cases alone will not solve our macro challenges,” Hopper said.
The investigation is set to reach into spring next year — and final rates could be raised, lowered or jettisoned altogether based on the results of the probe.
Under Tuesday’s action, preliminary general rates for companies not specified by the commerce department are 8.25 percent for Cambodia, 9.13 percent for Malaysia, 23.06 percent for Thailand, and 2.85 percent for Vietnam.
Company-specific rates include 14.72 percent for imports from Hanwha Q Cells Malaysia Sdn Bhd; 3.47 percent for imports from certain JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd (晶科) entities in Malaysia, 0.14 percent for Trina Solar Science & Technology (Thailand) Ltd, and 2.85 percent for certain JA Solar Technology Co (晶澳) entities in Vietnam.
The department is still conducting its initial investigation into claims that solar imports from the targeted countries are being dumped in the US and sold below the cost of production. It is expected to reveal a preliminary finding in that case next month.
PROTECTIONISM: China hopes to help domestic chipmakers gain more market share while preparing local tech companies for the possibility of more US sanctions Beijing is stepping up pressure on Chinese companies to buy locally produced artificial intelligence (AI) chips instead of Nvidia Corp products, part of the nation’s effort to expand its semiconductor industry and counter US sanctions. Chinese regulators have been discouraging companies from purchasing Nvidia’s H20 chips, which are used to develop and run AI models, sources familiar with the matter said. The policy has taken the form of guidance rather than an outright ban, as Beijing wants to avoid handicapping its own AI start-ups and escalating tensions with the US, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because the
Her white-gloved, waistcoated uniform impeccable, 22-year-old Hazuki Okuno boards a bullet train replica to rehearse the strict protocols behind the smooth operation of a Japanese institution turning 60 Tuesday. High-speed Shinkansen trains began running between Tokyo and Osaka on Oct. 1, 1964, heralding a new era for rail travel as Japan grew into an economic superpower after World War II. The service remains integral to the nation’s economy and way of life — so keeping it dazzlingly clean, punctual and accident-free is a serious job. At a 10-story, state-of-the-art staff training center, Okuno shouted from the window and signaled to imaginary colleagues, keeping
Arm Holdings PLC approached Intel Corp about potentially buying the ailing chipmaker’s product division, only to be told that the business is not for sale, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. In the high-level inquiry, Arm did not express interest in Intel’s manufacturing operations, said the source, who asked not to be identified because the discussions were private. Intel has two main units: A product group that sells chips for personal computers, servers and networking equipment, and another that operates its factories. Representatives for Arm and Intel declined to comment. Intel, once the world’s largest chipmaker, has become the
Taipei is today suspending its US$2.5 trillion stock market as Super Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rain. The nation is not conducting securities, currency or fixed-income trading, statements from its stock and currency exchanges said. Yesterday, schools and offices were closed in several cities and counties in southern and eastern Taiwan, including in the key industrial port city of Kaohsiung. Taiwan, which started canceling flights, ship sailings and some train services earlier this week, has wind and rain advisories in place for much of the island. It regularly experiences typhoons, and in July shut offices and schools as