The impact of US tariffs on Chinese solar

The Office of the United States Trade Representative recently stated that starting from January 1 next year, a 50% tariff will be imposed on solar-grade polysilicon and wafers imported from China. People from all walks of life in the United States analyzed that this move will exacerbate domestic inflation in the United States, push up the price of photovoltaic products, and disrupt the supply chain.

Ed Hills, an energy researcher at the University of Houston, told China Daily that Chinese photovoltaic companies will explore other markets and quickly promote and install photovoltaic equipment in Asian and African countries. These countries are expected to become lucrative markets, more profitable than the current US market.

He analyzed that the impact of additional tariffs on the United States is first reflected in rising product prices, rather than bringing benefits to domestic solar farms and photovoltaic companies. At the same time, the United States will face the pressure of soaring inflation.

Hills further stated that if the United States really imposes tariffs, it will suppress companies in China, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, Canada and other countries, which will inevitably disrupt the supply chain.

Alan Rozko, an American environmental engineering technology expert, pointed out that the development of the solar industry is related to environmental sustainability, and sustainable development is crucial, so tariffs should not be imposed on photovoltaic products. We have to look at the big picture and the performance of the products. If these are first-class products and very practical, they should be part of this market, Rozko told China Daily.

“I think the more such products, the better, no matter which country they come from. We should work together so that everyone can have a share,” he said.

In fact, win-win cooperation is the consensus of American people of insight. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, wrote in China Daily on December 23 that as the two largest economies in the world, cooperation between China and the United States is crucial to world peace and prosperity.