The Trump administration is expected to announce a 15 per cent tariff on polysilicon imports along with minimum import prices for solar products, in a move aimed at protecting US manufacturers and reducing China’s influence over critical supply chains
US President Donald Trump will announce a 15 per cent tariff on imports of products made from polysilicon, a critical raw material used in solar panels and semiconductors, in a move aimed at protecting domestic manufacturers and countering China’s growing influence over global supply chains, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The measures could be unveiled as early as Thursday and are expected to include not only tariffs but also minimum import prices on key products across the solar manufacturing value chain, the report said.
Tariffs and price floors planned
According to the report, Trump’s proclamation is expected to introduce a hybrid trade protection mechanism combining a 15 per cent tariff with minimum import prices for polysilicon and several downstream products.
The minimum price requirements are expected to cover polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules, while a 15 per cent tariff would apply to polysilicon derivatives, the report said.
Reuters had previously reported that the Trump administration was considering a combination of tariffs and price floors to protect domestic producers from low-cost imports.
Move aimed at countering China
The planned measures are designed to strengthen the US polysilicon industry, which has faced increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers that dominate large parts of the global solar supply chain.
More from BusinessChina has built a commanding position in the production of polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules over the past decade, making it the world’s largest supplier of components used in solar energy projects. The Trump administration views reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains as a strategic priority, particularly for industries linked to clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing.
The tariffs are expected to make imported products more expensive while encouraging investment in US manufacturing capacity.
National security investigation
The announcement follows a year-long national security investigation conducted by the US Commerce Department into polysilicon imports.
The probe examined whether imports of the material posed risks to US national security by increasing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical technologies. Polysilicon is a key input not only for solar panels but also for semiconductor chips used in electronics, artificial intelligence, defence systems and advanced manufacturing.
The investigation has broader implications for the US solar industry, which has expanded manufacturing capacity in recent years but continues to rely on imported components at various stages of production.
Impact on the solar industry
The proposed measures come at a time when the Trump administration has rolled back several federal incentives supporting renewable energy while placing greater emphasis on domestic manufacturing.
Industry analysts say the tariffs could benefit US producers of polysilicon and other upstream materials by shielding them from lower-priced imports. However, they could also raise costs for solar manufacturers that depend on imported wafers, cells and modules, potentially affecting the economics of solar projects.
The administration has argued that strengthening domestic manufacturing is essential to securing critical supply chains and reducing reliance on China in strategic industries.
If implemented, the latest measures would add to a series of tariffs and trade restrictions introduced by the Trump administration as it seeks to bolster domestic manufacturing and reshape global supply chains in sectors deemed critical to US economic and national security.
