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Trump Administration Approves Tariffs of 30 Percent On Imported Solar Panels (axios.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the nickel-and-dimed dept.

The Trump administration just approved tariffs of 30% on imported solar panels. Axios explains why it matters: "Most of the American solar industry has opposed tariffs on panels, saying they would raise prices and hurt the sector. A small group of solar panel manufacturers argued -- successfully -- that an influx of cheap imports, largely from China or Chinese-owned companies, was hurting domestic manufacturing. It's also part of President Trump's broader trade agenda against China." From the report: The tariffs would last for four years and decline in increments of 5% from 30%: 25%, 20% and finally 15% in the fourth year. The tariffs are lower than the 35% the U.S. International Trade Commission had initially recommended last year, per Bloomberg. This is actually the third, and broadest, set of tariffs the U.S. government has issued on solar imports in recent years. The Obama administration issued two earlier rounds of tariffs on a narrower set of imports. Monday's action also imposed import tariffs on washing machines, a much lower profile issue than solar energy.

3 of 445 comments (clear)

  1. Not the first administration to take action. by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Obama administration also accused China of cheating on solar panels via government subsidies; and tariffs were tacked on as punishment. As I understand it, the World Trade Organization agreed that China cheated, but disagreed with the US's remedy.

    While I cannot stand Trump in general, he is sometimes right about trade and visa workers. Just because you are an idiot does not mean you are always wrong. Go 15% of Trump!

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  2. Spiraling retaliation ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 4, Informative

    Although economists disagree by how much, the consensus view among economists and economic historians is that "The passage of the Smoot–Hawley Tariff exacerbated the Great Depression.

    The act raised U.S. tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods.

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    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
  3. Re:Hail trump!!!! USA USA USA!!!! by CohibaVancouver · · Score: 1, Informative

    Has there ever been a corporate or citizen's welfare program that has not been dropped as soon as the political tides turn in the US

    Many.

    Why can't you buy a compact pickup truck in the USA?

    Because of the "Chicken Tax" instituted in 1963:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...