The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has claimed that the 30% tariffs on solar cells and modules will cost the US 23,000 jobs.
The trade body, rubbished by the trade case’s petitioners as a mouthpiece for Chinese manufacturers, has argued throughout that jobs downstream will be made vulnerable as a result of any action.
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“While tariffs in this case will not create adequate cell or module manufacturing to meet US demand, or keep foreign-owned Suniva and SolarWorld afloat, they will create a crisis in a part of our economy that has been thriving, which will ultimately cost tens of thousands of hard-working, blue-collar Americans their jobs,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO, SEIA.
Suniva and SolarWorld Americas had been pressing for tariffs of 50%.
“It boggles my mind that this president – any president, really – would voluntarily choose to damage one of the fastest-growing segments of our economy,” said Tony Clifford, chief development officer, Standard Solar in a statement circulated by the SEIA. “This decision is misguided and denies the reality that bankrupt foreign companies will be the beneficiaries of an American taxpayer bailout.”
See the industry and country reactions here.