Economy US Tariff Hike Shakes Southeast Asia's Solar Industry, Thailand Among Hardest Hit

[snoop1130]

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

 

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

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

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

[MalcolmB]

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.

[madone]

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

[phetphet]

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

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

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.)

[ExpatOilWorker]

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? 

[blaze master]

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. 

[ikke1959]

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

[mfd101]

17 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

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

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

[newbee2022]

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.

[impulse]

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

 

[BritManToo]

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!

[hotchilli]

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..

[Krabi King]

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.

 

[WHansen]

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.

[black tabby12345]

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

 

[Scouse123]

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.

[Srikcir]

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.