The US Increases Tariffs on Chinese Silicon Wafers and Polysilicon from Next Year Onwards

After a four-year evaluation by the Biden administration, the United States will increase import tariffs on Chinese solar silicon wafers, polycrystalline silicon, and some tungsten products starting next year.
Bloomberg reported on Thursday (December 12) that according to a statement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the tariff rates on silicon wafers and polycrystalline silicon will increase to 50% from January 1, 2025. The tariff rate for some tungsten products will increase to 25%. Since 2012, the United States has imposed import tariffs on Chinese solar products and accused the Chinese government of seeking to suppress production in other countries through overcapacity. China holds a dominant position in the global solar energy industry.
The specific products subject to additional tariffs are as follows:

A report by researchers from Griffith University in Australia states that it is expected that the tariff increase will not have a significant impact on Chinese manufacturers, as the United States only purchased 0.3% of China’s direct solar panel exports last year.

Remarks

The tariff increase announced today will further weaken the impact of harmful policies and practices of the People’s Republic of China, “said US Trade Representative Dai Qi in a statement
Dai Qi also said, “These actions will complement the domestic investments made during the Biden Harris administration to promote a clean energy economy, while enhancing the resilience of critical supply chains
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning previously emphasized when discussing the economic and trade issues between China and the United States that China has always believed that there is no winner in a trade war and it is not conducive to the world. Protectionism is like reversing history. China has always upheld the utmost sincerity and insisted on resolving differences through negotiation and consultation. There is no winner in a tariff war, trade war, technology war, or industrial war. Protectionism protects backwardness and loses the future.