By 
Trump’s Solar Tariffs Go Into Effect Today. So What?
When the Trump administration announced import tariffs on foreign-manufactured solar panels, which kick in today, many industry observers saw it as a dark day. Some, including me, opined about how the tariffs would make for some very cloudy days for the U.S. solar industry.
But the more I thought about this, the more I realized that, if you time your project just right, you can have it all – the full 30% tax credit and 0% tariffs*. And even so, the price of solar is so low, it might not even matter.
China’s Solar Power Dominance and Trump’s Trade Tariffs
China’s solar market has been thrust into the international spotlight in recent weeks with U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to levy protective import tariffs against foreign-manufactured solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules.
While the tariffs, starting at 30 percent in the first year and dropping down to 15 percent by the fourth year, apply to imports from all countries, they are largely a response to cheap Chinese products and companies moving manufacturing operations into neighboring countries. But how did China’s solar products come to be the focus of international trade disputes? And what will happen next?
China wants compensation for US solar panel tariffs as industry braces for job losses
China filed a formal request with the World Trade Organization to consult with the United States over compensation under the agency’s Safeguard Agreement, following a decision by President Trump to levy tariffs on imported solar equipment.
In its request, China said the U.S. violated certain provisions under WTO rules, and followed the example laid out by South Korea and Taiwan, who filed similar requests earlier this year. These filings fulfill previous indications by countries that they would challenge the tariffs, which were implemented using a rare global safeguard measure under the Trade Act of 1974.
China demands compensation for U.S. solar tariffs: WTO filings
China has sent the United States a demand for talks on compensation for steep U.S. tariffs imposed on imported solar panels and washing machines, World Trade Organization filings showed on Tuesday.
China said it was asserting its right as a major exporter to demand compensation, and said it believed the U.S. measures broke numerous WTO rules. China’s move follows similar steps by Taiwan and South Korea.
Comments