The United States doubles tariffs on Chinese solar products

On December 11, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the United States will increase tariffs on Chinese solar silicon wafers and polysilicon from 25% to 50% and tariffs on some tungsten products from 0 to 25% starting January 1 next year, in accordance with Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

This means that the prices of key materials needed to make solar panels will rise at a time when solar energy has become the fastest growing source of electricity in the United States.

"These measures will complement the Biden administration's domestic investments to promote a clean energy economy while improving the resilience of key supply chains," said U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in a statement.

Polysilicon is mostly used to make solar wafers, the semiconductors in solar panels. At the same time, tungsten is used in different electronic products due to its high melting point. The metal is also part of the supply chain for the aerospace, automotive, defense, medical and oil and gas industries.

Not come singly but in pairs, three months ago, the USTR announced a doubling of tariffs on Chinese solar cells. At that time, the United States stated that the tariff rate on solar cells imported from China would double from 25% to 50%, and the new tariff rate would take effect on September 27, 2024.