[REVISION HISTORY]

US-China polysilicon tariff and price dispute

Updated 23 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-24 19:58 UTC → 2026-09-11 17:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In early August 2026, the White House announced trade measures to set minimum import prices and impose tariffs on polysilicon and related products, citing Section 232 national-security concerns. On 6 August, President Donald Trump signed an executive proclamation formalising a 15% ad-valorem duty and price-floor thresholds ($21/kg polysilicon, $100/kg ingots and wafers, $0.22/W solar cells, $0.38/W modules) effective 4 December 2026. The order also adds a 15% duty on Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and EU members, and a 10% duty on the United Kingdom. The policy introduces domestic content requirements of 50% by 2026 and 80% by 2029. Domestic manufacturers, including Silfab Solar and First Solar, have expressed support for the measures to secure critical supply chains. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the move as “protectionist and a misuse of state power to target Chinese companies.” In response to market pressures, eight major Chinese polysilicon producers—representing over 90% of the country’s effective capacity—signed a joint initiative in Shanghai on 10 August to end loss-making sales. This agreement involves following standardized cost accounting models and reducing outdated capacity to meet new energy-consumption standards. By mid-August, Chinese solar wafer prices remained stable, and China Mono Premium polysilicon prices saw their first increase of 2026. ~~Despite the push for domestic production, industry analysts~~ However, by mid-September, wafer prices in China entered a downward trend due to weakening downstream demand. FOB China M10 and 210R wafer prices fell to $0.149/pc and $0.156/pc respectively. To manage supply, an industry meeting involving the ~~Solar Energy Industries~~ China Photovoltaic Industry Association ~~warn that the U.S. remains heavily dependent on imports,~~ reportedly aims to target a 2026 polysilicon output of 1.0-1.1 million metric tons, a 20% reduction from 2025 levels, with ~~over 90%~~ calls for approximately 500,000 MT of ~~cells used~~ capacity in ~~domestic module production currently sourced from overseas. There are concerns that these price floors could increase solar panel costs~~ Sichuan, Yunnan, and ~~slow clean energy deployment.~~ Qinghai to suspend production for technological upgrades during the fourth quarter.

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