KUALA LUMPUR: The United States (US) has imposed a general duty of 9.13 per cent on solar cell imports from Malaysia, and singled out five companies for duties ranging between 3.4 per cent and 123.94 per cent.
The US Department of Commerce (Commerce) in its preliminary decision on investigations of crystalline photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled into modules (solar cells) on Oct 1, 2024, imposed a duty of 3.47 per cent on China's JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd entities; 14.72 per cent on German headquartered Hanwha Q CELLS Malaysia Sdn Bhd and 123.94 per cent duties on Baojia New Energy, Pax Union Resources Sdn Bhd and SunMax Energy Sdn Bhd.
In May, the US opened anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into crystalline photovoltaic cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
This was after it ended a two-year 200 per cent tariff exemption granted for certain solar imports from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
According to the US Commerce Department, Malaysia exported solar cells valued at US$1.87 billion to the US in 2023, a twofold growth from US$904 million in the previous year.
The latest announcement is the first of two preliminary decisions expected by the US Commerce Department this year in a trade case brought by solar manufacturers in the country.
South Korea's Hanwha Qcells, Arizona-based First Solar and several smaller companies accused Chinese companies operating in the four Southeast Asian countries of offering panels priced below their cost of production and received unfair subsidies that make the US products uncompetitive.
A final order will be issued next April.