Donald Trump news: US plans to impose 3521 per cent tariffs on solar panel imports on Asian countries

The US Commerce Department has announced tariffs of up to 3521 per cent on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, following a year-long investigation into alleged Chinese subsidies and price dumping.

The proposed levies target Chinese-backed firms operating in South East Asia, with duties varying by company and country.

Cambodian exporters face the steepest rates (3,521 per cent) for non-cooperation with the probe, while Malaysia’s Jinko Solar and Thailand’s Trina Solar face 41 per cent and 375 per cent tariffs, respectively.

The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which petitioned for the investigation, hailed the move.

“This is a decisive victory for American manufacturing and confirms what we’ve long known: that Chinese-headquartered solar companies have been cheating the system,” said Tim Brightbill, the group’s lead counsel.

The tariffs, if finalised by the International Trade Commission in June, would add to existing Trump tariffs.

The US President has already imposed taxes of up to 145 per cent on imports from China, while most countries like Australia are now facing a blanket US tariff of 10 per cent until July.

The announcement follows Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent tour of South East Asia, where he urged nations to resist “unilateral bullying” by the US.

In 2023, the US imported $US12 billion dollars (18.8 billion AUD) in solar equipment from the four countries.

The planned 3521 per cent tariffs are set to benefit US solar panel makers but could also mean extra costs for businesses and customers who have benefited from cheaper solar panels that have been imported.