WASHINGTON—U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday signed a proclamation to revoke an exclusion from tariffs on some imported double-sided solar panels—mostly from China—and for raising the planned tariff rate to 18 percent for 2021 from 15 percent.
Trump said the domestic U.S. industry was starting to increase production and market share of certain solar modules after he imposed tariffs on imports in January 2018, but further steps were needed.
Bifacial panels should not be excluded from the tariffs, Trump said, adding that doing so had limited the overall measures and would likely continue to impair their effectiveness.
“To achieve the full remedial effect envisaged for that action, it is necessary to adjust the duty rate of the safeguard tariff for the fourth year of the safeguard measure to 18 percent.”
Solar farm developers, including Chicago-based Invenergy Renewables LLC, had sued to maintain the exemption initially granted by the Trump administration, but it was later rescinded after officials realized it led to a spike in imports.
The United States in January 2018 imposed duties on solar panel imports beginning at 30 percent and expected to drop to 15 percent by 2021. Trump’s announcement would put the rate at 18 percent next year.
China and other producers dominate the bifacial technology market, a small but growing part of the solar panel market that costs more but produces greater power than traditional panels.
Importers have argued that higher tariffs will boost their costs and consumers’ costs, and are unnecessary because domestic producers do not make the panels and face no harm from imports.
Domestic producers argue that solar farm developers could use either monofacial or bifacial panels, and higher tariffs would safeguard domestic production.
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