The U.S. Commerce Department pushed back the deadline for its decision to impose additional tariffs on solar products entering the United States. The decision comes just hours before a final decision was expected to be made.
A group of small and anonymous solar manufacturers in the United States asked the Commerce Department to investigate whether imports from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam were actually made by Chinese companies that want to avoid current tariffs. The U.S. manufacturers who asked for the investigation want to remain anonymous because they are afraid of potential backlash.
The Commerce Department sent the group’s attorney a series of questions, including a further explanation on why they want to remain anonymous. The group has until October 6 to respond, and then the department will make a final decision on the tariffs within 45 days.
The Solar Energy Industries Association released a statement saying it would like the Commerce Department to move forward. Abigail Ross Harper, President and CEO of the SEIA said, “We are disappointed that Commerce did not dismiss these meritless petitions outright. However, the detail and nature of the questions Commerce asked the anonymous petitioners clearly indicates that the petitioners have produced a filing largely devoid of the information the department needs to assess whether to initiate this case. We believe that when and if the petitioners amend their original submission, it will become abundantly clear that they have no case for circumvention.”
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