WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) today welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination in its anti-subsidy investigation of solar cells imported from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand. This decision represents a significant step toward protecting American solar manufacturers and the billions of dollars in U.S. investments at risk from China’s predatory and illegal trade practices.
In April, CPA released a statement in strong support of the trade case filed by The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, a group of major U.S. solar manufacturers that include Convalt Energy, First Solar, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Silicon, and Swift Solar. A recent analysis by the CPA Economics Team warned that the U.S. solar industry is being threatened by China’s overcapacity and that China’s solar companies are surviving on CCP subsidies. Commerce’s preliminary affirmative determinations highlight the need to address harmful surges of subsidized solar imports from these countries.
“Today’s ruling is an important step forward for U.S. domestic solar manufacturers who have been fighting to defend their investments and the American workers they employ,” said Michael Stumo, CEO of CPA. “For too long, U.S. manufacturers have been undercut by China’s predatory trade practices and government subsidies, allowing foreign producers to dominate the market. This decision is a critical step in ensuring a level playing field for American companies.”
In May of this year, the Commerce Department initiated the investigations into the four countries. In June, the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a unanimous affirmative preliminary determination that dumped and subsidized imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam were currently injuring (or for Cambodian subsidies, threatening to injure) U.S. solar cell and module manufacturers. In August, the Alliance filed critical circumstances allegations that Chinese-owned and -headquartered producers were rushing to import solar panels before new tariffs would be implemented.
The preliminary anti-subsidy countervailing duties mark the first of two expected determinations by the Department of Commerce this year as part of its investigation into the ongoing threat posed by these imports. CPA strongly supports these actions and encourages the final determinations to reinforce the importance of robust trade enforcement to protect U.S. manufacturing jobs and promote a secure domestic solar supply chain.
“American solar manufacturers are key to the future of clean energy, and we cannot allow foreign companies—especially firms subsidized by the Chinese government—to drive them out of the market,” added Stumo. “This ruling sends a clear message that the U.S. is serious about defending its industries and ensuring long-term investment in our renewable energy future.”
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