The implementation of tariffs on imports of washing machines and solar panels implemented by President Trump’s section 201 order, as outlined in Panjiva research of January 22, took effect on February 7. The move has drawn WTO consultation requests from South Korea, Taiwan, China and the European Union already and may extend to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. South Korea has also appealed to the WTO about the section 201 process more broadly. Furthermore Canadian producers of solar panels have lodged protests in U.S. courts, Bloomberg reports.

Yet, manufacturers are not waiting for the WTO process to be complete before running down their supplies ahead of the tariff implementation. Panjiva data shows U.S. seaborne imports of large domestic washing machines fell 43.6% in January vs. December. Imports by Samsung Electronics dropped 58.3%, while LG and Electrolux dropped 42.1% and 59.0% respectively from their November peaks.

Chart segments U.S. seaborne imports of washing machines by company name. Source: Panjiva

For solar panels and cells there was a similar picture, with a 44.2% drop in January vs. December and 62.2% from the November peak. For both products though it will take February and March data (the late lunar new year may distort figures for Asian imports) to truly determine the impact on supply chain behavior. That in turn may provide the Trump administration with a signal as to the effectiveness of the section 201 process, and whether it should be used again on either a petitioned or self initiated basis.

Chart shows U.S. seaborne imports of solar panels and cells. Source: Panjiva