U.S. punishes China with new tariffs on wind towers

China will reel from punitive U.S. tariffs of up to 26% on its leading wind tower manufacturers.

The United States has imposed preliminary duties ranging from 13.7% to 26% against Chinese makers of wind-turbine towers who export to the USA. The move, made by the U.S. in response to alleged dumping by China, will increase tension over trade of clean energy technologies between both nations. The new tariffs could take effect this October.

Directly hit by the new tariffs are CS Wind China, CS Wind Tech and CS Wind Corporation that were collectively levied a preliminary U.S. duty of 13.74% while Titan Wind Energy, Titan Wind Energy Equipment and Titan Metal were hit with a preliminary duty of 26%. All other Chinese makers face a duty of 19.87%.

The decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce stems from its investigation into a trade complaint by utility-scale wind towers makers Wind Tower Trade Coalition consisting of wind tower makers Broadwind Towers, Inc, DMI Industries, Katana Summit LLC and Trinity Structural Towers, Inc.

The coalition complained that its Chinese competitors harmed their business by selling exported items that allegedly benefited from subsidies from China's government, below market cost in the U.S.

The case covers utility-scale wind towers at least 50 meters high and designed to support turbines with generating capacity of 100 kilowatts or more. It doesn't include the turbines or blades that the towers support.

The commerce department said it will announce a final decision on the case in August. If it affirms the preliminary findings and the U.S. International Trade Commission separately determines that the subsidies have injured US companies, the tariffs could be final by October.