US slaps up to 3,521% duties on Southeast Asian solar imports

Published: 24 Apr 2025

Author: Precedence Research

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The United States declared a new substantial tax duty on solar imports from four Southeast Asian nations for up to 3,521% to support manufacturers. This might challenge the renewable energy development of the nation. On Monday, the new duties were introduced following the trade investigation of solar manufacturers in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. These countries were receiving inequitable government subsidies. According to Bloomberg, they used to sell products to the US below production cost. 

The full-fledged investigation was called out by the former President Joe Biden at the request of domestic solar manufacturers. Apart from Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act stimulating investment in domestic solar panel production, manufacturers were bothered by the decreased price of equipment from foreign competitors.

Impact

The new duty tax has come with an advantage for domestic manufacturers, but it’s a disadvantage for US renewable developers. The US is highly dependent on low-cost foreign supplies. The unusual fluctuation of Washington’s policy has, however, affected this sector. The new duty taxes will be a supplement to existing popular disturbing tariffs by US President Donald Trump which have already interrupted global markets and supply chains. 

However, the final decision is more favourable to domestic manufacturing. Trump and Biden are in support of this decision. Further, providing an offer to firms such as First Solar Inc and Hanwha Q Cells. 

Statement

A co-chair of Wiley’s international trade practice and lead counsel for the petitioning solar companies, Tim Brightbill, says this is a determined victory of the American Manufacturing market. Adding, the investigation has proved the cheating of Chinese-headquartered solar companies by undermining US companies and costing livelihood to the American workers. 

Which countries face what?

Starting with Cambodia, the country faced 3,521 percent after the completion of the investigation. Thailand, with 375.2 percent, Malaysia, with 34.4 percent, and Vietnamese companies were affected by duties up to 395.9 percent. Companies received specific rates accordingly, Jinko Solar 245% for Vietnamese exports and 40% for Malaysian exports, and Trina Solar 375% for Thai exports and 200% for Vietnamese exports.

According to BloombergNEF, last year, four countries furnished $12.9 billion worth of solar equipment to the US. The execution of duties depends on the upcoming decisions of the US International Trade Commission related in concern for domestic producers. 

Similar duties were imposed on Chinese imports 12 years ago, to which the Chinese then switched to unaffected nations. Including Mission Solar Energy LLC, First Solar, Hanwha Q Cells, and other companies, the investigation was initiated after a petition held in April by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee.