Last Friday, the United States added 284 product lines to the approved list of 818 product lines under section 301.
The new additions include PV cells and components under the category of 8541.40.60, meaning that if being upheld in screening, they will be subject to 25% tariff, in the names of antidumping and countervailing duties, according to trade expert John Smirnow.
With the schedule of the possible new tariff still uncertain, it is not clear that how many US suppliers plan to employ Chinese PV cells.
Jinko Solar has denied a US report saying that its new factory in Jacksonville of Florida plans to employ China-made large-scale mono-si PV cells, saying that it will import the PV cells from Malaysia.
Faced with antidumping and countervailing duties of the U.S., many Chinese PV suppliers have set up factories in Southeast Asia, reason why China-made PV cells and components accounted for only 11% of PV import in the U.S. in the first 11 months of 2017.
First Solar reported that the possible new tariff will not affect its production of thin-film components and SunPower also reports that it will not purchase China-made products. It is unclear that where will Hanwha Q Cells purchase PV cells for its 1.6 GW plant in Georgia.