The U.S. Commerce Department is proceeding with an investigation into solar panel imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This inquiry stems from allegations that Chinese solar manufacturers are circumventing existing U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made solar products by assembling them in these Southeast Asian nations.
The investigation, initially launched in April 2022, was previously put on hold due to industry concerns about potential disruptions to the U.S. solar energy sector and potential project delays. A two-year pause on tariffs for solar panels from these countries was implemented to alleviate those immediate concerns.
Now, with that pause set to expire in June 2024, the Commerce Department is resuming its investigation. Preliminary determinations regarding circumvention are expected in May 2024. If found to be circumventing tariffs, these four countries, which collectively supply a significant portion of U.S. solar panel imports, could face significant duties.
The investigation’s outcome could significantly impact the U.S. solar industry, influencing the cost and availability of solar panels. It could potentially shift the supply chain away from Southeast Asia and towards domestic production or other import sources. The Commerce Department aims to finalize its findings by early 2025.
find the original article here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-proceed-probe-solar-imports-210441652.html