The United States imposes new duties on solar panels made in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam

The United States imposes new duties on solar panels made in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam

The United States has imposed new duties on solar panels imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The move, effective as of April 22, 2025, is part of a year-long trade probe that found these countries' solar manufacturers unfairly benefit from government subsidies and sell their products at rates below production costs [1].

The duties, ranging from 6.1% to 271.28%, are designed to offset the value of alleged unfair subsidization and pricing. The U.S. imported $12.9 billion in solar equipment last year from these countries, representing about 77% of total module imports [1]. The decision is a win for U.S.-based solar manufacturers but could raise development costs for the renewable power sector already facing policy and economic headwinds.

First Solar (FSLR), a leading U.S.-based solar technology manufacturer, stands to benefit from these tariffs. The company has been expanding its production capacity and is well-positioned to capitalize on the increased demand for domestically manufactured solar panels [2]. Analysts predict that the tariffs will accelerate the long-term growth of U.S.-based solar production.

However, the new solar levies come amidst broader economic challenges and political uncertainty. President Donald Trump's push to boost fossil fuels and slash support for green projects may further complicate the renewable energy landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-21/us-imposes-new-duties-on-solar-imports-from-southeast-asia
[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/barchart:a7351311b094b:0-why-this-solar-stock-is-a-tariff-winner-to-buy-for-2025/