U.S. Solar Makers Challenge Ethiopian Imports Amid Tariff Evasion Concerns

A coalition of U.S. solar panel manufacturers urged federal trade authorities on Tuesday to investigate alleged tariff evasion involving solar shipments from Ethiopia. The companies claim that firms are completing their products in Ethiopia to circumvent import duties on Chinese-made components. This move marks the latest development in a decade-long effort by American solar panel manufacturers to secure tariffs against cheap Chinese imports.

The petition, filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce, alleges that Japan's Toyo and Origin Solar Manufacturing are using Chinese-made wafers to create solar cells in Ethiopia. These cells are then assembled into panels in either Ethiopia or Vietnam for export to the U.S. According to federal law, it is illegal to skirt U.S. tariffs by routing goods through other countries with only minor processing changes.

The petitioning group includes Arizona-based First Solar Inc, Qcells—a solar manufacturing unit of South Korea's Hanwha—and six smaller producers. These companies have collectively invested billions of dollars in major U.S. solar panel factories. As Ethiopia emerges as a significant player in solar manufacturing, imports from the African nation have surged, reaching $300 million by the end of 2025, swiftly making Ethiopia one of the top solar importers to the U.S.

(With inputs from agencies.)