A coalition of U.S. solar panel manufacturers has petitioned the Commerce Department to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports from Indonesia, India, and Laos, aiming to protect domestic industry from unfair foreign competition.

Recent policy shifts under the Trump administration, which aim to reduce renewable energy subsidies, have complicated the landscape for solar projects in the U.S.

The Alliance alleges that manufacturers in these countries are engaging in illegal trade practices, including receiving unfair subsidies and selling below production costs, which threaten U.S. solar producers.

Tim Brightbill, the lead attorney for the Alliance, emphasized the importance of enforcing trade laws to support the success and competitiveness of the U.S. solar industry.

The petition was filed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, which includes major companies like First Solar and Hanwha Qcells, aiming to safeguard investments and bolster domestic manufacturing.

In response to existing tariffs, some global manufacturers have relocated production to Indonesia and Laos to avoid duties, further intensifying the trade dispute.

This effort follows a series of tariffs imposed earlier in 2025 on imports from Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, which resulted in a significant decrease in imports and prompted some manufacturers to shift operations to Indonesia and Laos.

Imports from Indonesia, Laos, and India surged to $1.6 billion last year, up from $289 million in 2022, reflecting growing concerns among U.S. manufacturers about unfair foreign competition.

The primary goal of this petition is to protect U.S. investments in solar manufacturing and improve competitiveness against low-cost Chinese-made products.

In May 2025, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in favor of the Alliance regarding imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, leading to tariffs as high as 3,500% on certain products.

The Solar Energy Industries Association has opposed the tariffs, warning they could harm domestic solar module producers who depend on imported solar cells.