Cheap solar panels from Asia are unlikely to flood Europe immediately; US president wants to veto Congress’s efforts to end import tariff exemption

The possibility of repealing tariff exemptions for imports of solar panels from selected Asian countries, which account for the vast majority of panels sold in the US market, is currently under discussion in the US Congress. Former President Trump introduced import tariffs several years ago in an effort to protect domestic industry from cheap Chinese imports, but other major suppliers from the region were granted an exemption. Congress is now seeking to repeal it to provide further support for domestic manufacturing. These efforts have met resistance from the White House, which has made its position clear by announcing its intention to veto the legislation under consideration.

The issue of tariffs on imports of cheap solar panels and components used to manufacture them from Asia, which domestic manufacturers—not only in the US—cannot compete with on price, has occupied US lawmakers and the government for many years. Then-President Trump introduced the tariffs in 2018, following a recommendation by the International Trade Commission. In April 2017, the US solar panel manufacturer Suniva had asked the commission to impose import tariffs. Just two weeks earlier, Suniva had filed for bankruptcy. Other US suppliers of solar cells and panels subsequently joined the request.