US targets solar imports from India, Indonesia and Laos with steep duties

The US Commerce Department has announced steep duty rates on imports of solar cells and panels from India, Indonesia and Laos after an investigation found that producers in the three countries had sold products at unfairly low prices in the United States and benefited from government subsidies.

Reuters reported that the department set anti-dumping margins at 123.04% for Indian producers, 94.36% for those in Indonesia and 65.43% for producers in Laos.

The department also set countervailing duty rates at 126.09% for Indian producers. Indonesian manufacturers face rates ranging from 73.2% to 173.7%, while producers in Laos face rates of between 82.03% and 153.67%.

The US trade investigation was launched following a petition by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, whose members include major US solar manufacturers First Solar, Hanwha Qcells and Mission Solar Energy.