ITC Investigating Whether Solar Safeguard Should Be Extended
After a request from Auxin Solar and Suniva that the solar cell, module and panel safeguard be extended, the International Trade Commission launched an investigation into whether the 18% tariff "continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury and whether there is evidence that the domestic industry is making a positive adjustment to import competition." The tariff is scheduled to sunset on Feb. 7, 2022.
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The ITC will hold a hearing on Nov. 3, and is asking for interested parties to submit their intent to appear by Oct. 28.
The Solar Energy Industries Association said that domestic panel manufacturers are thriving, and it's time to end the tariffs. "If we hope to reach our ambitious climate goals, we must accelerate solar deployment, not hinder it with unnecessarily punitive trade measures," SEIA said.
A report last year from Ithe TC on loosening the tariff rate quota under the safeguard found that it would not hurt the one domestic cell producer, and module producers' ability to buy more inexpensive cells would substantially increase production and employment. It did note that Sunviva, which does not have a plant in operation now, would be less profitable if it chose to restart production if more imported cells were allowed to enter the country without facing the tariffs.
This extension investigation at the ITC is scheduled to conclude Dec. 8.