Picture courtesy of The Japan News

 

A dramatic tariff escalation from the United States has severely impacted Southeast Asia's solar panel exports, with Thailand facing some of the steepest duties in a move set to significantly disrupt the global renewable energy market.

 

Announced on April 21, the US has imposed monumental duties that could reach up to 3,521% on solar imports from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. This comes after a year-long investigation spurred by US solar manufacturers' allegations of unfair competition due to alleged government subsidies and below-cost dumping by Asian suppliers.

 

While US manufacturers celebrate what they see as a victory for domestic industry, the tariffs have sent shockwaves through the renewables sector. Many US developers, who have depended on more affordable Southeast Asian panels for their green projects, now face increased costs and disrupted supply chains amidst an already strained solar market.

 

“These antidumping and countervailing duties aim to create fair competition,” the US Commerce Department stated, asserting that the penalties address pricing distortions and illegal subsidies.

 

Cambodia faces the harshest penalties for its non-cooperation during the probe, with potential duties of up to 3,521%. Vietnam is hit with rates up to 395.9%, Thailand at 375.2%, and Malaysia at 34.4%. Major Chinese-linked companies, such as Jinko, Trina, and JA Solar, are also subject to high tariffs depending on their export country.

 

 

 

Tim Brightbill, lead counsel for the case-triggering coalition, remarked, “This is a decisive victory for American manufacturing. It confirms suspicions that Chinese companies manipulated the system with satellite factories in Southeast Asia, undermining the US industry.”

 

The US imported nearly US$13 billion worth of solar products from the four targeted countries last year, making up 77% of its total panel imports. In response to this, the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act has encouraged investments in domestic solar manufacturing, but fears persist among US producers about foreign price undercuts.

 

Ultimately, the US International Trade Commission will decide if these imports genuinely harm local producers, with a verdict expected within a month.

 

The potential upholding of these tariffs could have extensive repercussions, potentially increasing project costs, delaying green energy initiatives, and straining relations with key Southeast Asian partners.

 

For Thailand and its neighbouring countries, this unexpected solar dispute presents substantial economic challenges, necessitating a revaluation of their roles in the global solar supply chain.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-22

 

 

Strange that Indonesia and the Philippines are not on the list.

Prices on solar panels should drop further in Thailand 🇹🇭. 

I think we all should stand with the Thais here and boycott 7/11, Ford, Swensens, KFC, McDonalds and anything else American.

It is all krap anyway. 
Donald Trump has blatantly lied about Thai tariffs on American goods.

He is a complete and utter scumbag.

3 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I think we all should stand with the Thais here and boycott 7/11, Ford, Swensens, KFC, McDonalds and anything else American.

It is all krap anyway. 
Donald Trump has blatantly lied about Thai tariffs on American goods.

He is a complete and utter scumbag.

I believe that Swensen's is Canadian owned and all but dead except for in Asia, and calling 7-11 american, while it certainly started that way, is a bit of a stretch. It's owned by a Japanese company

Got to protect Musk industries. Doesn't he sell solar panels and solar panel roof tiles along with his Tesla Walls?

 

 

31 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I think we all should stand with the Thais here and boycott 7/11, Ford, Swensens, KFC, McDonalds and anything else American.

It is all krap anyway. 
Donald Trump has blatantly lied about Thai tariffs on American goods.

He is a complete and utter scumbag.

 

You may be pleased to note that I do not frequent any of the places/products that you mention.

(I also avoid Chinese goods when I can.)

42 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I think we all should stand with the Thais here and boycott 7/11, Ford, Swensens, KFC, McDonalds and anything else American.

It is all krap anyway. 
Donald Trump has blatantly lied about Thai tariffs on American goods.

He is a complete and utter scumbag.

Le contraire. The tarrifs are the result of Thailand having a trade surplus with the US of A.

If you stop buying American products, then the baby 👶 in the White House might get upset 😢 😭 😿,  next time he check trade data.

You can get some amazing Amarican apples 🍎 here. Time for an apple a day to keep Dr. Trump away.

What else from American can we get here. Peanut 🥜 butter? 

51 minutes ago, madone said:

I believe that Swensen's is Canadian owned and all but dead except for in Asia, and calling 7-11 american, while it certainly started that way, is a bit of a stretch. It's owned by a Japanese company

 

Swensens is also American but was sold to a Canadian company. 

Good to hear .... Maybe the solar panels will become more affordable for many people to buy and install now...That would be good for the economy and for the PM2.5 problems

17 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

What else from American can we get here. Peanut 🥜 butter? 

Full of sugar. You'ld do better with Australian.

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of The Japan News

 

A dramatic tariff escalation from the United States has severely impacted Southeast Asia's solar panel exports, with Thailand facing some of the steepest duties in a move set to significantly disrupt the global renewable energy market.

 

Announced on April 21, the US has imposed monumental duties that could reach up to 3,521% on solar imports from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. This comes after a year-long investigation spurred by US solar manufacturers' allegations of unfair competition due to alleged government subsidies and below-cost dumping by Asian suppliers.

 

While US manufacturers celebrate what they see as a victory for domestic industry, the tariffs have sent shockwaves through the renewables sector. Many US developers, who have depended on more affordable Southeast Asian panels for their green projects, now face increased costs and disrupted supply chains amidst an already strained solar market.

 

“These antidumping and countervailing duties aim to create fair competition,” the US Commerce Department stated, asserting that the penalties address pricing distortions and illegal subsidies.

 

Cambodia faces the harshest penalties for its non-cooperation during the probe, with potential duties of up to 3,521%. Vietnam is hit with rates up to 395.9%, Thailand at 375.2%, and Malaysia at 34.4%. Major Chinese-linked companies, such as Jinko, Trina, and JA Solar, are also subject to high tariffs depending on their export country.

 

 

 

Tim Brightbill, lead counsel for the case-triggering coalition, remarked, “This is a decisive victory for American manufacturing. It confirms suspicions that Chinese companies manipulated the system with satellite factories in Southeast Asia, undermining the US industry.”

 

The US imported nearly US$13 billion worth of solar products from the four targeted countries last year, making up 77% of its total panel imports. In response to this, the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act has encouraged investments in domestic solar manufacturing, but fears persist among US producers about foreign price undercuts.

 

Ultimately, the US International Trade Commission will decide if these imports genuinely harm local producers, with a verdict expected within a month.

 

The potential upholding of these tariffs could have extensive repercussions, potentially increasing project costs, delaying green energy initiatives, and straining relations with key Southeast Asian partners.

 

For Thailand and its neighbouring countries, this unexpected solar dispute presents substantial economic challenges, necessitating a revaluation of their roles in the global solar supply chain.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-22

 

 

US suppliers can't produce/compete with Asian prices.

So with these horrendous tariffs it will be hard of US citizens to buy inexpensive solar panels. There will be then less demand for those panels (because high prices). A lose lose situation for the people and the climate.

Does Thailand even make solar panels, or do they just trans ship them?

 

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Good to hear .... Maybe the solar panels will become more affordable for many people to buy and install now...That would be good for the economy and for the PM2.5 problems

580w n-type, split, mono, bifacial panels are down to 2,000bht delivered in Thailand.

Hard to see how they could possibly get any cheaper!

18 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

I think we all should stand with the Thais here and boycott 7/11, Ford, Swensens, KFC, McDonalds and anything else American.

It is all krap anyway. 
Donald Trump has blatantly lied about Thai tariffs on American goods.

He is a complete and utter scumbag.

And Biden was as sharp as a tack..

19 hours ago, madone said:

I believe that Swensen's is Canadian owned and all but dead except for in Asia, and calling 7-11 american, while it certainly started that way, is a bit of a stretch. It's owned by a Japanese company

 

7/11 Thailand is in the hands of CP, a Thai family conglomerate, who are the one of the biggest players in food, retail, pharma, telecom and banking.

 

3 hours ago, impulse said:

Does Thailand even make solar panels, or do they just trans ship them?

 

The tariff increases are because China has set up factories in SE Asia to bypass tariffs in their own country.

22 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

I think we all should stand with the Thais here and boycott 7/11, Ford, Swensens, KFC, McDonalds and anything else American.

It is all krap anyway. 
Donald Trump has blatantly lied about Thai tariffs on American goods.

He is a complete and utter scumbag.

 

7/11 was originated in USA(owned by Southland Corporation).

But it is no longer run by US company; now run by 7 and i Holdings of Japan.

In 1970s, Ito Yokado started its business in Japan under license.

Eventually made it bigger than its scale in USA and bought it.

 

Even without mad tariff, DT is a scumbag.

Apart from half dozen times of tax evasion(busted).

Cheated on his wives 3 times.

And accused of 19 counts of sexual harassment.

 

How Many Times Has Trump Cheated on His Wives? Here's What We Know - Newsweek

 

Trump has an oversimplified way of looking at tariffs, the experts, NOT ME, say he hasn't taken so many things into account, and the trade deficits are nowhere near what his charts are showing.

 

I also think it's a load of bluster to intimidate the Chinese, and that will not work.

On 4/22/2025 at 7:57 PM, ExpatOilWorker said:

The tarrifs are the result of Thailand having a trade surplus with the US of A.

If America simply reduced its import needs from Thailand to the level of Thailand exports to America, there would be trade parity according to Trump's trade "formula." But Trump doesn't do "negotiations," he does anger and ego.

On 4/22/2025 at 12:40 PM, Tropicalevo said:

(I also avoid Chinese goods when I can.)

 

Or when your wallet allows it?

i will not be going to the USA or buying anything made there while Donald Trup and Vance are

Pres and VP. I hope Americals will vote these 2 losers out of their posituons in the next Federal election.

11 hours ago, WHansen said:

The tariff increases are because China has set up factories in SE Asia to bypass tariffs in their own country.

 

 BRAVO ..  President Trump ....   the sooner China crumbles the better

21 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Full of sugar. You'ld do better with Australian.

Or, better, locally produced delicious peanut butter which is available even without any sugar at all. 

16 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Trump has an oversimplified way of looking at tariffs, 

 

In other words, missing out all sort of vital details(to be taken account of before decision making).

Particularly, one simple fact: Today's USA, no longer like in 1940-60s. Unable to produce essential goods on its soil.

Raising tariff won't any serve to bring Lost Factories back home.

Whatever stock and property prices they might have in their country(and their Value also rests with the outside world's Trust in US).

As well as lacking the basic imagination How Other Trade Partners respond if he  makes it that high overnight).

Certainly not predicting the mass US bond selloff triggered by that.

23 minutes ago, rebo said:

Or, better, locally produced delicious peanut butter which is available even without any sugar at all. 

I wasn't aware of that. Name? Availability (eg Lotus)?

8 hours ago, mfd101 said:

I wasn't aware of that. Name? Availability (eg Lotus)?

Google is your friend ("Peanut butter sugar free Thailand").

10 minutes ago, rebo said:

Google is your friend ("Peanut butter sugar free Thailand").

Thanks. I'll check them out next time in Lotus or Tops.

On 4/22/2025 at 10:24 PM, phetphet said:

Got to protect Musk industries. Doesn't he sell solar panels and solar panel roof tiles along with his Tesla Walls?

 

 

 

On 4/22/2025 at 10:24 PM, phetphet said:

Got to protect Musk industries. Doesn't he sell solar panels and solar panel roof tiles along with his Tesla Walls?

 

 

Petpet why would a man who is so wealthy that he could buy and sell  a lot of countries in the world be worried about a small problem like that ? He knows he's on a winner with Trump and when it's all sorted out and the dust settles he will get even richer as the U.S. economy surges ahead.