Trade probe of solar imports from Thailand, 3 other countries poses threat to US projects

A potential Commerce Department probe of solar imports from Southeast Asia has the potential to freeze investment in the US industry leaders warned on Tuesday.

The agency is set to decide by March 25 whether to formally investigate whether solar products from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia circumvent longstanding solar tariffs. An investigation could expose the imports to retroactive duties of 50% to 250%, the Solar Energy Industries Association said on Tuesday. 

The four countries supply about 80% of US solar imports and the risk of trade restrictions could drag down shipments. The trade dispute threatens to intensify existing headwinds for the US solar industry, which is…