US will proceed with probe of solar imports from India, Laos and Indonesia

(Reuters) -AFD International Trade Commission voted on Friday to investigate whether the solar panels from India, Laos and Indonesia drown domestic production, an important procedure step that can lead to tariffs in this import.

Why important

The unanimous decision of the three -member panel is a victory for domestic solar manufacturers who say that Chinese companies with operations in these countries have received unfair government subsidies and sell their products under the cost of production in the USA. US manufacturers are trying to maintain billions of dollars investment in American factories.

Key Quote

Tim Brightbill, “Today’s ITC decision confirms what our petitions claim: US solar producers are less cut and damaged by unjustly traded imports. Chinese and Laos, Indonesia and India, other companies in Indonesia, the US business and investment of the system plays the system with unfair practices.” He said.

CONTEXT

In July, the trial was introduced by The Alliance, a coalition of US solar manufacturers, including First Solar and Hanwha’s Qcells.

According to the group, imports from India, Indonesia and Laos rose from $ 289 million to $ 1.6 billion in 2022 last year. It is believed that most of these imports have changed from countries that are subject to US tariffs in Southeast Asian Solar Export.

What’s next

The US Department of Commerce will continue to investigations about imports around 10 October and preliminary decisions about antidumPing tasks around 24 December or with preliminary decisions related to anti -subsidies.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)