Subsidized Silicon Imports Face US Duty Scrutiny
Published Date: 5/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. government is starting investigations into whether silicon metal imports from Australia, Laos, Norway, and Thailand get unfair help from their governments. This could lead to extra taxes on these imports to protect American companies like Ferroglobe USA and Mississippi Silicon. The process kicked off on May 14, 2025, and could impact prices and trade soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
U.S. launches CVD probes into silicon metal
On May 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into silicon metal imports from Australia, Laos, Norway, and Thailand. The investigations cover imports for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 and could lead to countervailing duties (extra import taxes) if Commerce and the International Trade Commission issue affirmative findings.
Domestic producers petition for protection
Ferroglobe USA, Inc. and Mississippi Silicon LLC filed the CVD petitions on April 24, 2025 and are identified as the only two U.S. producers of silicon metal; Commerce found the petitions supported by 100 percent of the U.S. industry. The petitioners allege imports benefit from subsidies and cause material injury to the U.S. industry.
Specific foreign producers to be examined
Commerce identified specific producers/exporters that it intends to examine: Simcoa Operations (Australia), Lao Silicon Co., Ltd. (Laos), G.S. Energy Co., Ltd. and Sica New Materials (Thailand), and three companies in Norway. Commerce intends to individually examine all known producers/exporters in Australia, Laos, and Thailand and has released CBP import data for Norway (released May 12, 2025).
What silicon metal is covered or excluded
The investigations cover silicon metal that contains at least 85.00 percent but less than 99.99 percent silicon by weight and less than 4.00 percent iron; semiconductor-grade silicon (at least 99.99 percent silicon) is explicitly excluded. The HTSUS subheadings cited are 2804.69.1000 and 2804.69.5000.
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Key Dates
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