Biden administration doubles tariffs on Chinese-made solar products

The Biden administration is raising tariffs on Chinese-made solar products. It’s the latest move to shut out clean energy technologies from China.

A notice from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said starting next year, tariffs on China’s solar wafers and polysilicon will rise to 50% from 25% and tariffs on certain tungsten products will increase from zero to 25%.

This means there will be higher prices on key materials needed to make solar panels at a time when solar is the fastest growing source of electricity in the U.S.

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Engineers use polysilicon to make solar wafers, the semiconductors in solar panels. Meanwhile, Tungsten is used in different electronics because of its high melting point. 

The metal is also part of supply chains for the aerospace, automotive, defense, medical and oil and gas industries.

White House officials said the decision to raise tariffs follows an investigation into cyber theft and economic espionage by China.

“These actions will complement the domestic investments made under the Biden-Harris administration to promote a clean energy economy, while increasing the resilience of critical supply chains,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he plans to hike tariffs on imported goods from China even more than the Biden administration. Trump’s planned tariffs are expected to increase prices on everything from cars to electronics.