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India terms US' 126% countervailing duties on solar imports as 'part of usual, quasi-judicial process'

Published on 25/02/2026 06:15 PM

India terms US' 126% countervailing duties on solar imports as 'part of usual, quasi-judicial process'The US imposed countervailing duties of 125.87% on solar imports from India, citing unfair subsidies, with similar actions against Indonesia and Laos. Investigation is ongoing.By Abhimanyu Sharma  February 25, 2026, 6:15:29 PM IST (Updated)2 Min ReadThe US has announced a levy of countervailing duties (CVD) of 125.87% on solar cells and panels imported from companies in India, having determined that the South Asian country unfairly subsidised manufacturing.

Responding to the development, government sources told CNBC-TV18 that the US' move is a part of a usual quasi-judicial process as CVD Investigations are undertaken by all countries, including India.

In its preliminary findings made public on February 24, the US also announced CVD on import of solar cells and panels to the tune of 104.38% from Indonesia and 80.67% from Laos.

Also check: US sets preliminary duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia and Laos

In August 2025, government sources had indicated that the anti-dumping probe by the US against Indian exports of solar modules "lacked merit", with the US not having distinguished between exports from bonafide Indian manufacturers and from countries which act as trans-shipment hubs for under-priced exports aimed at dumping.

The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade and American module manufacturers First Solar, Mission Solar Energy, and Qcells had filed anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) petitions before the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and the US Department of Commerce, alleging dumping of solar modules by India, Indonesia and Laos in the American market.

Earlier, the US had levied anti-dumping duty on solar exports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

While an anti-dumping probe against solar cells and panels imported from the three countries will continue, the interested parties will get time to comment on the preliminary findings before a final determination is arrived at by the US.

For both AD and CVD investigations, American law mandates the US Department of Commerce to verify information submitted by the foreign governments and manufacturers subject to the investigation, after a preliminary determination is issued. The final determination includes validation of data submitted by foreign manufacturers and governments, followed by a report with a summary of the findings after due verification.

: India should not finalise trade deal without clarity on future US tariff powers: Former Ambassador Mohan KumarContinue ReadingFirst Published: Feb 25, 2026 6:12 PM ISTTagsrooftop solarSolar CellsSolar energy