US, Feb 25 : The US Commerce Department has set preliminary duties of 126% on solar panel imports from India, following a determination that the country provided unfair subsidies to its manufacturers. Similar initial duties were imposed on other Southeast Asian nations, ranging from 86% to 143% for Indonesia and 81% for Laos, as part of an effort to curb undercutting of domestic solar products.
While intended to support American manufacturers, these tariffs create uncertainty for the solar industry and could raise costs for both producers and consumers. The measures differ from the global tariffs previously struck down by the US Supreme Court, with President Donald Trump subsequently introducing new 10% tariffs, which he has threatened to increase to 15%.
India, Indonesia, and Laos accounted for 57% of US solar module imports in the first half of 2025, with imports from India alone valued at $792.6 million in 2024, a ninefold increase from 2022. Analysts say the high duties will significantly restrict Indian solar manufacturers’ access to the US market.
The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, which petitioned for the probe, called the decision “an important step toward restoring fair competition” and highlighted domestic investments aimed at rebuilding manufacturing capacity and creating jobs. The Commerce Department plans to issue the final determination by July 6, alongside an ongoing antidumping investigation into solar imports from the three countries.