Letter to Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States - Representatives Tim Ryan and Marcy Kaptur Call on President Biden to Extend Safeguard Tariffs on Imported Solar Products

Letter

Dear President Biden,

As Members of Congress committed to domestic manufacturing and worker's rights, we write to express support of extending -- for four years -- the safeguard duties imposed on imported solar products pursuant to Section 201 of P.L. 93-618, the Trade Act of 1974, and applying the extended duties to imported bifacial solar products. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to consider the U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) unanimous recommendation that Section 201 relief should be extended so that the domestic solar industry can compete on a global stage.

According to the ITC, the current Section 201 duties have been essential in helping our domestic industry expand and create new good-paying, Middle-Class jobs. In fact, the United States has set records for solar deployment every year that the safeguard measures have been in place; deployment in 2019 exceeded deployment in 2018 by 23 percent, and 2020 set a new record for solar installations. We fully believe that American innovators will always succeed when given a fair chance, and that full and fair enforcement of our trade laws is compatible with strong industry growth.

However, between the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued exclusion for bifacial solar panels, the domestic industry and its workers continue to face import pressure. Specifically, a four-year extension of the duties imposed on imported solar panels is vital to U.S. competitiveness.

We would note that the ITC makes clear: "an extension of less than four years would not appear sufficient for the industry's efforts to adjust to import competition." Also, we consider it critical to include bifacial solar products as part of any extension to ensure the integrity and success of the solar industry moving forward.

In addition to leveling the playing field for the domestic solar industry and its workers, the extension of the Section 201 duties on solar panels would reaffirm your priorities on safeguarding our environment and protecting human rights. We cannot remain dependent on Chinese-produced -- and other imported -- goods in order to invest in renewable energy. As you know, our nation can reduce emissions and set high-quality standards by increasing capacity for domestic solar cell and module manufacturing since products manufactured in the United States are among the most environmentally friendly.

Furthermore, continued dependence on China for solar panels and other manufactured goods rewards and encourages the forced labor atrocities committed against the Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. There is serious and justified concern that Chinese polysilicon manufacturing is propped up by exploitation of Uyghurs and others. We understand that polysilicon produced by forced labor is widely used in imported solar products from not only China, but from other countries as well. We cannot continue to reward the unfair labor practices that have a stronghold on this industry and many others.

American solar manufacturing should be a key part of the clean energy economy, but despite the United States leading the world in solar research and development, China's exploitative industrial and trade practices continue to hinder the growth of a strong domestic solar supply chain. Prioritizing the domestic solar industry and its workers will lead toward long-term economic strength, an improved environmental impact, and increased fair labor practices. America's manufacturing legacy is one of prosperity and progress.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Source