US Polysilicon Price Floor Tariffs

The Trump administration is preparing to impose a price floor and tariffs on polysilicon and related products, according to four sources familiar with the plan. The decision, expected later this month, aims to protect U.S. polysilicon factories owned by Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie from Chinese competition in the chip supply chain. The move follows a year-long Section 232 national security investigation by the Commerce Department. The administration plans a hybrid system combining a minimum import price with tariffs, and will allow importers investing in U.S. wafer and cell production to offset costs. China, which accounts for roughly 80% of global solar manufacturing capacity, criticized the investigation and urged the U.S. to stop the measures. The tariffs could raise costs for solar panels and semiconductors, impacting the domestic solar industry that has expanded since 2022 tax incentives. Several U.S. solar manufacturers, including Toyo, Hanwha Group — Qcells, Corning, Canadian Solar, and T1 Energy, have announced or started facilities up the supply chain. Industry groups and some manufacturers warn of 'collateral damage' from higher costs. Following the Reuters report, shares of Corning, First Solar, T1 Energy, Canadian Solar, and Toyo rallied.