How Chinese solar cell makers can fend off Trump’s looming 3,521% import tariffs

After a cat-and-mouse tariff game over the past 13 years, the rivalry between the US and China in the global solar panel industry is heading into crunch time.

The latest threat by US President Donald Trump to impose a fresh round of heavy duties on solar cells and modules shipped from four Southeast Asia nations – allegedly produced with “transnational subsidies” from Beijing – could land a major blow to the trade dominated by Chinese companies.

The tariffs of up to 3,521 per cent if confirmed by June would “virtually block” US solar cell imports from Chinese-owned factories in Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, according to Citigroup. With higher costs, the duties would erode Chinese firms’ competitiveness in the lucrative US market, Huatai Securities said.