Matt Nicely Quoted on Solar Panel Safeguard Tariffs by E&E News
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E&E News has quoted Akin Gump international trade partner Matthew Nicely in its article “‘Elephant in the room.’ Feds ponder new solar tariffs.” The article discusses the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) potential extension of safeguard tariffs on solar panels and cells as well as the Biden-Harris administration’s push for building a domestic manufacturing base for solar products.
The publication quotes Nicely’s oral argument at a November 3 ITC hearing in which he represented the Solar Energy Industries Association, among others opposing the safeguard tariffs. On the topic of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to reach 40 percent solar power by 2035, Nicely told the commissioner, “It is literally impossible to come anywhere near meeting the Biden administration’s goals without a significant volume of imports.”
According to the publication, the cost of solar panels is among the many challenges with solar panel production, given the pandemic-related supply chain issues. Additionally, the Commerce Department is considering implementing anti-dumping duties on solar imports from three Southeast Asian countries. Addressing this issue, Nicely said, “Now is not the time to impose trade restrictions. Now is the time to eliminate them.”
