REUTURS: U.S. trade panel set to recommend solar trade tariffs

10/31/2017

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By: NICHOLA GROOM – (Reuters) – Federal trade officials on Tuesday will recommend measures to safeguard struggling domestic solar panel manufacturers against cheap imports in a closely watched case that could have a major impact on the price of U.S. solar power. 

The vote by the U.S. International Trade Commission is a major milestone in a case that has divided the solar industry for the last six months. The panel’s proposals, which could include tariffs, a quota or other trade remedies, will be delivered to President Donald Trump, who will make a final decision later this year.

Trade remedies were requested earlier this year by two small U.S. manufacturers that say they are not able to compete with cheap panels made overseas, mainly in Asia. 

But fears of steep new tariffs on imports have sparked widespread nervousness among solar developers and installers that have benefited from a 70 percent drop in the cost of solar since 2010. Many snapped up panels ahead of the ITC’s vote and warned that some projects may not be completed if the cost of panels rises too much.

 

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