U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, called on U.S. commerce secretary Gina Raimondo Wednesday to be more engaged and open in helping to resolve a tariff investigation that threatens to derail the domestic solar energy industry.
What You Need To Know
The commerce department’s International Trade Administration is looking into whether Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam using parts manufactured in China to produce crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules constitutes a violation of antidumping and countervailing duty protections
The investigation was initiated by a complaint from Auxin Solar
Solar industry insiders fear exorbitant tariffs will be attached to solar-energy parts and equipment produced by the four countries, who collectively account for roughly 80% of all such production
Fallout from the investigation and its related supply chain issues is already mounting
In a tense exchange with Raimando during a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing, Schatz repeatedly emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for Raimando to be more personally engaged.
