Trump Orders 15% Polysilicon Tariff, Sets $21-a-Kilogram Floor as China Protests
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 7
Trump Orders 15% Polysilicon Tariff, Sets $21-a-Kilogram Floor as China Protests
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 7
Summary
A 15% US tariff on imported polysilicon products will take effect on Dec. 4, alongside minimum import prices including $21 per kilogram for polysilicon and $0.38 per watt for solar modules.
Trump said the order is meant to keep US polysilicon production commercially viable and strengthen chip and solar supply chains seen as critical to AI, energy and national security.
China's foreign ministry called the move protectionist and said Washington was abusing national-security claims to target Chinese businesses, vowing to defend their interests.
Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie welcomed the measure, saying it should support US capacity investment and supply-chain resilience as Chinese-backed competition pressures domestic producers.
The tariff lands as China's July exports jumped 23.9% year on year, led by AI-related electronics and machinery that economists say are helping Beijing gain global manufacturing share.