The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled on Aug. 22 that there is “reasonable indication” of potential harm to U.S. manufacturers of utility-scale wind energy tower components from government-aided producers in Canada, Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam selling in the U.S., which could lead to new tariffs.
As a result, agency commissioners said U.S. Commerce Dept. probes will continue, with a preliminary tariff decision in early October, and a final by year end.
A coalition of U.S. manufacturers sought the probes, claiming the tower components are being “dumped” here.
The American Wind Energy Association testified that imports are needed to meet projected onshore and offshore wind energy demand through 2020, and that tariffs would raise manufacturing costs by 10% to 18% and could increase the risk of canceled projects.
