USTR Considers Upping Solar Cells TRQ Threshold, ITC to Investigate

The U.S. may loosen Section 201 safeguard duties on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, according to a notice launching a new International Trade Commission investigation. The U.S. trade representative recently asked the ITC to study the economic effects of raising the threshold below which solar cells enter duty-free from 2.5 gigawatts to 4, 5 or 6 gigawatts, the ITC said. “I request that the Commission analyze the effect of increasing the level of the tariff-rate quota from the current 2.5 gigawatts (“GW”) to 4, 5, or 6 GW, without other changes to the remedy,” the USTR said in the request letter. Currently, imports of solar cells after the first 2.5 gigawatts face a 25 percent tariff, set to fall to 20 percent in February for the third year of the safeguard duty (see 1801230052). Comments are due to the ITC by Jan. 6, 2020.