US Imposes Tariffs on Solar Companies for Evading China Duties

The United States has finalized a decision to impose import duties on solar panel makers who finish their products in Southeast Asian nations to avoid tariffs on Chinese-made goods. The decision, which mirrors a preliminary finding made in December, aims to prevent Chinese companies like BYD, Trina Solar, Vina Solar, and Canadian Solar from circumventing US tariffs by conducting minor processing in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The move is seen as a boost for the small US solar manufacturing industry but has drawn criticism from solar panel buyers who rely on cheap imported products. The duties will not take effect until June 2024 due to a two-year waiver from President Biden.