ITC recommends an extension of Trump-era tariffs on imported solar panels, Biden to decide

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has recommended an extension of Section 201 global safeguard tariffs on solar cells and modules.

Import relief “continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to the U.S. industry, and that there is evidence that the domestic industry is making a positive adjustment to import competition,” the ITC said in a statement.

Trump’s tariffs set off a feud between U.S. solar developers — who say domestic manufacturers cannot meet the demand for the products — and manufacturers who want protection from inexpensive imports.

“Four years of tariffs has proven to be an ineffective way to incentivize solar manufacturing and create American jobs,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, chief executive officer of the trade group Solar Energy Industries Association.

“A new round of Trump-imposed safeguard tariffs will hamper U.S. solar development in their wake, and we hope President Biden sees the damage they will cause to his clean energy vision,” she added.

Biden now has the discretion to take this recommendation into consideration and make a final decision before the four-year tariff expires in February.

He is also under no obligation to abide by the ITC’s recommendation.