Supply Chain Research

The U.S. Court of International Trade has ruled in favor of a Trump administration attempt to remove a tariff loophole for bifacial solar panels. The case illustrates the complexity of using the section 201 “safeguarding” tariff rules. U.S. imports of solar panels actually increased by 36.6% in the 12 months to Sept. 30 versus 2017 and by 110.9% year over year. That suggests tariff costs have been passed through to customers. The incoming Biden administration will need to decide whether to keep the duties, designed to encourage U.S. manufacturing, and risk raising the costs of its renewa...