US to investigate solar imports from India, Laos, and Indonesia

The US will proceed with a probe of solar imports from India, Laos, and Indonesia due to concerns over circumvention of US anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar panels from China. First Solar, a US-based solar panel manufacturer, is not affected by the probe. The investigation will determine whether the imported solar panels are made with US-origin cells and modules.

The U.S. government has initiated a probe into solar imports from India, Laos, and Indonesia, citing concerns over the circumvention of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar panels from China. This probe aims to determine whether the imported solar panels are made with U.S.-origin cells and modules.

The investigation, announced on July 2, 2025, follows recent court rulings that have affected the solar industry. The U.S. Court of International Trade revoked a Biden-era moratorium on the collection of anti-dumping duties on solar panels imported from Southeast Asia, leading to retroactive tariffs on imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam [1]. Wells Fargo expects First Solar to benefit from this ruling, as developers may pivot to non-impacted imports or First Solar modules due to policy uncertainty [1].

However, the probe does not affect First Solar, a U.S.-based solar panel manufacturer, which uses cadmium telluride technology. Wells Fargo noted that First Solar's stock has gained 10.7% this year, while Canadian Solar, which has manufacturing facilities in Southeast Asian nations, faces significant uncertainty due to the potential liability exceeding its market cap and cash on hand [1].

The probe comes at a critical time for India's burgeoning solar industry, which has been threatened by President Trump's tariffs. India's solar exports to the U.S., its largest market, are now subject to a 50% tariff, making them less economical for American buyers [2]. India's bid to compete with China as a supplier of renewable-energy technologies is also challenged by China itself, as India relies on Chinese suppliers for solar cells and silicon wafers [2].

The U.S. probe aims to ensure that imported solar panels are not circumventing the anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese solar panels. This investigation is part of ongoing efforts to protect the U.S. solar industry and promote domestic manufacturing.

References:
[1] https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/wells-fargo-sees-first-solar-benefiting-from-court-ruling-on-anti-dumping-duties-canadian-solar-at-risk/chtTOApRdNT
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/sustainability/a-casualty-of-trumps-tariffs-indias-nascent-solar-industry/articleshow/123556298.cms