US Slaps Temp Rules on Cheap Lao Solar Cells to Save American Jobs
Published Date: 4/28/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. says solar cells from Laos are being sold here for less than they should be, which might hurt American businesses. Because of this, the government is looking into it more and has delayed the final decision while keeping some temporary rules in place. If you’re involved in solar cell trade, watch out for new rules and possible extra costs starting soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
22% Cash Deposit on Laos Solar Imports
If you import crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells or modules from Laos, U.S. Customs will require a cash deposit based on Commerce's preliminary rates. Commerce preliminarily set an estimated weighted-average dumping margin of 22.46% and an estimated cash deposit rate (adjusted for subsidy offsets) of 22.06% for the listed producer/exporter combinations; these deposit requirements apply to subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after April 28, 2026.
Retroactive Suspension for Certain Laos Suppliers
Commerce preliminarily found "critical circumstances" in part for imports from certain Laos producer/exporter combinations and the Laos-wide entity. For those listed supplier combinations (Solarspace/JA Solar; SolarSpace Hong Kong/SolarSpace Hong Kong; Solarspace/Trina Solar; Solarspace/Trina Thailand; and the Laos-wide entity), suspension of liquidation applies to unliquidated entries entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date which is 90 days before the publication of this notice.
Solarspace Rate Applied to Other Exporters
Commerce preliminarily calculated a non-zero weighted-average dumping margin for Solarspace Technology (Laos) and preliminarily assigned that margin to several non-examined separate-rate companies and to the Laos-wide entity. The same estimated weighted-average dumping margin (22.46%) and adjusted cash deposit rate (22.06%) are preliminarily applied to JA Solar Vietnam Co. Ltd.; SolarSpace Technology (Hong Kong) Limited; Trina Solar Energy Development Pte. Ltd.; Trina Solar Science & Technology (Thailand) Company Limited; and the Laos-wide entity.
Final Decision Delayed; Provisional Duties Extended
Commerce is postponing the final antidumping determination and extended provisional measures at the exporters' request. Commerce will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the publication of this preliminary determination, and provisional measures that otherwise would last four months are extended to a period not greater than six months.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09755 — Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Wuyi Xilinde, a Chinese company, sold non-refillable steel cylinders in the U.S. at unfairly low prices from May 2023 to April 2024. Because of this, certain duties (extra taxes) will apply to their products starting May 15, 2026. This decision affects importers and helps protect U.S. businesses from cheap imports.
2026-09756 — Tapered Roller Bearings and Parts Thereof, Finished or Unfinished From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce says Shanghai Tainai Bearing Co. from China won’t get special treatment in the 2024-2025 review of tapered roller bearings. Instead, Tainai is grouped with all Chinese companies for antidumping duties, which could mean higher costs for them. This decision kicks in starting May 15, 2026, and interested folks can still share their thoughts before it’s final.
2026-09782 — Amending the Procedures To Administer Import Adjustment Offset Amounts for Certain Imports of Automobile Parts Under Proclamation 10908 To Include Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Parts
Starting May 15, 2026, U.S. makers of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles can claim special import adjustment offsets for certain vehicle parts, just like car manufacturers already do. This change helps boost American production by including more types of vehicle parts in the program, while excluding some limited production operations. Car makers can keep applying as usual, and engine-related rules will come later.
2026-09825 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Steel Import License
The Department of Commerce is asking for public feedback on its Steel Import License form, which helps track steel coming into the U.S. This affects steel importers who must provide details like where the steel was made. Comments are open until July 14, 2026, and the goal is to keep the process smooth without adding extra costs or hassle.
2026-09824 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System
The Department of Commerce is asking for public feedback on its Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System, which requires importers to get licenses for aluminum shipments. This helps track where aluminum comes from and keeps trade fair. Comments are open until July 14, 2026, and this process doesn’t add new costs but keeps reporting clear and organized.
2026-09753 — Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-To-Length Plate From Belgium: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2023-2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Industeel Belgium sold certain steel plates to the U.S. at unfairly low prices from May 2023 to April 2024, so they’ll face extra duties. Meanwhile, NLMK Belgium didn’t ship any steel plates to the U.S. during that time, so no duties apply to them. These changes take effect on May 15, 2026, impacting importers and sellers of these steel products.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08190 — Medicaid Program; 2028 Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Quality Measure Set
Starting in 2028, Medicaid will update the quality checks for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to make sure people get better care no matter where they live. States will have to collect and share new kinds of data, including differences between rural and urban areas, to help improve services. Everyone’s invited to share their thoughts by May 28, 2026, so these changes work best for all.
Next: 2026-08193 — Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From Indonesia: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that solar cells from Indonesia are likely being sold in the U.S. for less than their fair price. This means importers might face extra duties soon to keep things fair for American businesses. The investigation covers sales from July 2024 to June 2025, and the decision kicks in starting April 28, 2026.