Tariff Rates Have Increased on Solar Imports from Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam since Preliminary Analyses Were Released in Late 2024
WASHINGTON, DC (February 18, 2025) – As a part of the ongoing AD/CVD investigations resulting from the petition filed in April 2024 by The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, the U.S. Department of Commerce this month issued a third rate increase announcement amending its preliminary determinations in the Antidumping (AD) and Countervailing Duty (CVD) Investigations of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules, from Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
Commerce was required by law to issue its initial preliminary determinations for the CVD investigation in October and the AD investigation in November. In some cases, Commerce had little available data with which to make their determinations; in others, the Alliance found calculation errors. The reasons for each tariff increase, as well as the new tariffs, are detailed below.
“After the initial anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) findings were released, we predicted the tariff rates would rise as more data became available,” said Tim Brightbill, Partner at Wiley Rein LLP and lead attorney for the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee. “This prediction proved accurate – over the past three months, tariffs have increased across Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam from as little as 13% to as much as an incredible 661%. These increases resulted from calculation corrections, new subsidy claims, penalties for non-compliance, and additional evidence. We expect these strong results to continue when the final decisions are announced in April.”
Vietnam
In December 2024, Commerce issued a post-preliminary determination due to a ministerial error found in the preliminary antidumping determinations
Party | Preliminary AD | Post-Prelim AD | CVD | New Total |
JA Solar | 53.30% | 53.30% | 2.85% | 56.15% |
Jinko | 56.51% | 71.85% | 2.85% | 74.70% |
Blue Moon Vina | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
Boviet Solar | 54.46% | 60.02% | 0.00% | 60.02% |
Elite Solar/Elite SNG | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
GEP New Energy | 54.46% | 271.28% | 292.61% | 563.89% |
HT Solar Vietnam Limited | 54.46% | 271.28% | 292.61% | 563.89% |
Letsolar | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
Mecen Solar Vina | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
Nexuns Vietnam | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
Shengtian New Energy Vina | 54.46% | 271.28% | 292.61% | 563.89% |
Trina Solar Energy | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
Vietnam Green Energy Commercial Services | 54.46% | 271.28% | 292.61% | 563.89% |
Vietnergy & Tainergy Tech | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
Vietnam Sunergy | 54.46% | 60.02% | 2.85% | 62.87% |
Vietnam-wide Entity Rate | 271.28% | 271.28% | 2.85% | 274.13% |
Thailand
In January 2025, Commerce completed the post-preliminary analysis of the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Thailand and found three new cross-border subsidies, all from China into Thailand: the cross-border provision of Chinese wafers, solar glass, and silver paste. This is the first time the Commerce Department has calculated transnational subsidies in any countervailing duty investigation. This finding resulted in a change from a de minimis rate to a greater than 13% for mandatory respondent Trina Solar.
Party | AD | Preliminary CVD | Post-Prelim CVD | Total |
Trina Solar | 77.85% | 0.14% (de minimis) | 13.59% | 91.44% |
Sunshine Electrical | 154.68% | 34.52% | 73.79% | 228.47% |
Thaihua New Energy | 154.68% | 34.52% | 73.79% | 228.47 |
All Others | 57.66% | 23.06% | 13.59% | 71.25% |
Cambodia
In February 2025, Commerce released a post-preliminary determination, which calculated new subsidy rates for certain new subsidy allegations submitted by the Alliance.
Party | Prelim AD* | Preliminary CVD | Post Prelim CVD | Total |
Solarspace New Energy | 117.12% | 8.25% | 137.07% | 254.19% |
Hounen Solar | 117.12% | 8.25% | 729.86% | 846.98% |
Jintek Phtovoltaic | 117.12% | 68.45% | 729.86% | 846.98% |
ISC Cambodia | 117.12% | 68.45% | 729.86% | 846.98% |
Solar Long PV Tech | 117.12% | 8.25% | 729.86% | 846.98% |
All Others | 117.12% | 8.25% | 137.07% | 254.19% |
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About The Alliance
The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee is a coalition of seven member and supporter companies calling for trade law enforcement against foreign entities engaging in illegal practices to protect jobs, ensure fair prices, and foster a strong American solar industry for generations to come. For more information visit: AmericanSolarTradeCmte.org.
