U.S. Solar Industry Association Condemns New Tariffs on Chinese Solar Modules

In a further escalation of the solar trade war with China, the U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed yet another layer of tariffs on solar modules from China, and – for the first time – on imports from Taiwan. In a decision announced today, Commerce will immediately impose antidumping duties ranging from 26.33 to 58.87 percent for most Chinese suppliers and 27.59 to 44.18 percent for Taiwanese producers. Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) was quick to condemn the decision.

“Enough is enough. The Department of Commerce continues to rely on an overly broad scope definition for subject imports from China, adversely impacting both American consumers and the vast majority of the U.S. solar industry,” Resch said. “We strongly urge the U.S. and Chinese governments to ‘freeze the playing field’ and focus all efforts on finding a negotiated solution. This continued, unnecessary litigation has already done serious damage, with even more likely to result as the investigations proceed.

“If there’s a silver lining to today’s announcement, “Resch continued, “it’s the fact that the U.S. and Chinese governments, SolarWorld, and Chinese manufacturers now have a brief window of opportunity to move forward on settlement discussions. SEIA got the ball rolling in this direction first by proposing a negotiated solution and then bringing the parties together. Now it’s time to start bargaining in earnest.

“A win-win settlement of the broader U.S.-China-Taiwan solar trade conflict is still achievable – as well as one for polysilicon. As the old saying goes, ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ Today, the parties are finally engaged and all sides seem committed to finding a negotiated solution. I am encouraging my U.S. and Chinese industry colleagues to roll-up our sleeves, work together, and find a deal that’s good for everyone.”

SEIA will hold a webinar on July 29 at 1 p.m. EST to examine the impact of today’s Department of Commerce decisions on the U.S. solar industry.