That 30% solar tariff Trump boasts will protect U.S. workers will kill tens of thousands of jobs
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In yet another decision by the Trump regime to put obstacles in the path of renewable energy, the pr*sident announced the imposition of a 30 percent tariff on solar cells and modules Monday. The tariff will drop to 15 percent in its fourth year. The target: CThat 30% solar tariff Trump boasts will protect U.S. workers will kill tens of thousands of jobs
In yet another decision by the Trump regime to put obstacles in the path of renewable energy, the pr*sident announced the imposition of a 30 percent tariff on solar cells and modules Monday. The tariff will drop to 15 percent in its fourth year. The target: China, which currently produces 61 percent of solar cells and 71 percent of solar modules, according to a fact sheet issued by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Campaign Action In the past decade, solar costs have plummeted. One reason: cheap imports from China and Chinese-based factories in other Asian countries. These imports have grown by 700 percent since 2007. Putting a tariff on solar components comes in the wake of a decision and recommendations made last year by the U.S. International Trade Commission in response to a petition filed by two U.S.-based manufacturers of photovoltaic cells. These were the previously German-owned SolarWorld Industries Americas with about 300 workers in Oregon, and Suniva, a bankrupt Chinese-owned operation in Georgia that employs about 1,000 workers. SolarWorld had sought a 50 percent tariff. Without mentioning the company’s Hong Kong ownership, Suniva spokesman Mark Paustenbach gave a deadpan statement in December when Trump’s stance on imposing the tariff became known: “Suniva applauds the Trump Administration for championing American manufacturing in the face of cheating by China and its proxies who want to kill American jobs and make America dependent on China for its energy and security needs." The tariff was presented by Pr*sident Trump as a means to "protect American jobs and American workers." In fact, it is widely seen in the U.S. solar industry as doing the opposite. Read more