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Solar Trade War Looms As U.S. Considers Tariffs On China

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News Article from Talking Points Memo:

The U.S. government hasn’t decided yet whether or not to slap tariffs on Chinese solar panels imported into the U.S., but that outcome is looking more and more likely: On Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced it had found “reasonable basis to believe or suspect” that Chinese subsidies of solar panels imported to the U.S. were in violation of international trade agreements.

Further, in an historic decision, the Commerce Department said that when it makes its final decision on March 2nd whether or not to enact tariffs on Chinese solar panel manufacturers, the tariffs will be retroactive for 90 days — requiring Chinese companies to pay drastically higher fees on all of the panels that they’ve imported to the U.S. since December 3, 2011. It’s the first time that the agency has rendered such a decision in advance of making a determination on the actual tariffs....

....Still, everyone is on pins and needles until March 2nd, the date that Commerce’s preliminary determination on tariffs is due. We’ll keep you updated on any significant developments before then. Stay tuned

If you're thinking about PV, this could push the price up.
 
US govt sets new tariffs on China solar panels

Update on this topic: US govt sets new tariffs on China solar panels

The Commerce Department is imposing new import fees on solar panels made in China, finding that the Chinese government is improperly giving subsidies to manufacturers of the panels there.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday it has found on a preliminary basis that Chinese solar panel makers have received government subsidies of 2.9 percent to 4.73 percent. Therefore, the department said, tariffs in the same proportions will be charged on Chinese panels imported into the U.S., depending on which company makes them.

The tariff amounts are considered small, but the decision could ratchet up trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Several U.S. solar panel makers had asked the government to impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports. They are struggling against stiff competition from China as well as weakening demand in Europe and other key markets, just as President Barack Obama is working to promote renewable energy.

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