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24 April 2026 at 08:10 pm IST
The United States has intensified its trade stance in clean energy, introducing preliminary tariffs of up to 123% on solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The move follows findings by the US Department of Commerce that manufacturers in these countries were selling solar cells and panels at unfairly low prices, undercutting domestic producers. The tariffs—set at 123.04% for India, 35.17% for Indonesia, and 22.46% for Laos—target imports that account for nearly two-thirds of the U.S. solar supply, valued at $4.5 billion last year. The case was backed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, whose members include major U.S. manufacturers seeking stronger protection from global competition. The decision underscores a growing tension in U.S. climate strategy: balancing rapid renewable energy deployment with efforts to build resilient domestic supply chains. While tariffs may support local manufacturing and job creation, they could also increase costs for developers and slow project timelines in the near term. This is part of a broader shift toward industrial policy in clean energy, with the U.S. increasingly using trade measures to reduce reliance on foreign production. Additional countervailing duties targeting subsidies are also under consideration, further tightening the policy landscape. Final rulings are expected later this year, and the outcome could reshape sourcing strategies for solar developers. Globally, the move signals rising trade barriers in renewable energy markets, highlighting how climate ambition is becoming closely tied to economic competitiveness and supply chain control.
