section 201

Singapore has joined the pile of countries going to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to demand a consultation with the US over its 30% solar import tariffs, according to a WTO filing from Friday 9 February.

China has requested consultations with the US over its decision to apply a safeguard measure on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, according to a WTO filing from Tuesday 6 February.

The Taiwan government has decided to lodge an official complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the latest import duties imposed on solar cells and modules imported into the US.

The US government has confirmed which countries shall be exempted from the newly-announced 30% import tariffs on solar cells and modules.

The US has confirmed that Pakistan will be exempt from the 30% import tariffs.

South Korea has requested consultations with the US government over its newly announced solar import tariffs, threatening legal action at the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the dispute is not resolved, according to documents filed at the WTO.

In President Trump's statement imposing a 30% import duty on all foreign made crystalline silicon solar cells and modules reference was made to renewed efforts that would be made to resolve the trade war with China over polysilicon duties on US producers, effectively locking them out of the market.

President Trump has signed the proclamation for the solar Section 201 tariffs, which also includes some further details on the measures.

The Trump administration's 30% tariff on imports of solar cells and modules will result in modules cost increases of 9-10¢/W in year one, reducing to 3-4¢/W in year four, according to separate analyses by GTM Research and Deutsche Bank.

Module costs for US firms in 2018 will still be lower than 2017 prices, despite the impending 30% import tariffs, according to the CEO of Chinese manufacturer turned project developer ReneSola.