EU To Join Korea Consultations Over Solar Tariffs

The U.S. has replied to a request from the EU, China, Malaysia, and Thailand to enter into respective conference on the import tariffs for solar panel system products.

At the completion of January, U.S. President Donald Trump fixed tariffs of 30% for imports of solar panel system products to the U.S. under Section 201. Monday’s WTO statement shows that the U.S. has now admitted the request submitted to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) by the EU, China, Malaysia, and Thailand, to join the conferences already underway with Korea.

Thailand also proposed its own request to the WTO last Thursday, regarding the willingness of the U.S. to consult with those nations on the protectionist standards for the domestic solar industry, which are strongly affected as exporters.

In the report, the Thai delegation stressed that U.S. development was not in line with the GATT 1994 and Safeguards Agreement. One time is that, according to these commands, as an “exporter with a substantial interest”, Thailand should have had an adequate opportunity for consultation before the import tariffs were assigned.

January 

At the conclusion of January, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced Trump’s choice to introduce duties in the Section 201 petition. According to this, tariffs should be implemented for the import of solar cells and modules into the country over the next five years.

These begin at 30% and will be progressively lowered to 15%. Solar cell imports totaling 2.5 GW per year are exempt from customs duties.

As part of the announcement, the U.S. said it was ready to discuss long-term solutions with interested parties. Subsequently, several countries filed complaints with the WTO, seeking a peaceable solution to the safeguard duties, including the EU.

Section 301 Information

Most lately, a new round of IT-related tariffs could make it even more costly for any manufacturers planning to import cells from China for solar panel system production in the U.S.

On June 15, the U.S. Trade Representative composed a list of different 284 product lines to the 818 it has approved for duties under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The new products include solar cell and module imports under 8541.40.60. This means that these cells and modules are among the products that will go to review, and if approved will be subject to 25% tariffs.

It is still a great time to buy solar panels in the United States, prices are rock bottom.