Starting in June, the US will enforce new tariffs — some exceeding 3,500%—on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. 

The move is part of an effort to counter what US officials referred to as “unfair Chinese subsidies” funnelled through Southeast Asian manufacturers.

The US Commerce Department announced Monday, April 21 that companies based in Cambodia will face a staggering 3,521% duty. 

Vietnamese firms will be hit with a 395.9% tariff, while Thai manufacturers face 375.2%. Malaysia’s nationwide rate is set at just 34.4%.

This decision follows last year’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar gear from the same four nations. 

The case was filed by Hanwha Qcells (Korea), Arizona-based First Solar Inc. and other smaller US manufacturers as part of a group action by the US Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee. 

The group argued that major Chinese solar companies — operating through factories in Southeast Asia — were selling panels below production cost thanks to government subsidies, undermining US manufacturers.

Imports of solar cells and modules from the four Southeast Asian countries targeted in the Alliance’s anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) petition have dropped sharply between January 2024 and January 2025, according to data compiled from the US commerce department and the US International Trade Commission. 

Imports by value from Vietnam fell by 91.5%, from Thailand by 90%, from Malaysia by 87% and from Cambodia by a staggering 99.66%. 

In contrast, the same period saw a dramatic surge in imports from countries not named in the petition, with imports from Laos increasing by 214% and Indonesia panel exports skyrocketing by 4,797.96%. 

These shifts highlight a significant redirection in trade flows following the AD/CVD actions.

Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise reported that its solar exports plunged nearly 60%, from over $2 billion in 2023 to $830 million in 2024.