Rubio, Gallagher Question UFPLA Enforcement Against Solar Panels
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., asked CBP how it will "ensure that no solar panels or solar panel components are imported directly or indirectly from ... [China] that are tainted by Uyghur forced labor?"
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According to reports, solar panels are one of the most scrutinized imports for links to Uyghur inputs already, but the Republicans say they are concerned that taxpayer funding for solar panel installations will be supporting Uyghur forced labor. Their Dec. 5 letter notes that China "accounts for over 80% of every stage of the solar panel manufacturing process, such as polysilicon production, and accounts for 97% for wafers."
"Even after the CBP blocked imports of solar panels produced by LONGi Solar, Jinko Solar, and Trina Solar, it has refused to blacklist any of these firms, allowing U.S. importers to continue to import from them," they said.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., also signed the letter. CBP said it does not comment on letters from Congress.