U.S. Considers Delaying Polysilicon Tariffs by 90 to 120 Days
Alina Collins
The Trump administration is weighing a 90-to-120-day delay before new polysilicon tariffs take effect, with an executive order possible as early as Thursday. The pause gives the solar supply chain a short reprieve — but domestic manufacturers warn cheap imports will flood in.
What exactly would these tariffs cover?
The tariffs target polysilicon and downstream products made from it — wafers, cells, and modules — at a rate of at least 15%, plus a minimum import price floor.
This means → the levy locks down the entire solar manufacturing chain, not just the upstream raw material.
The executive order could come as soon as Thursday, but whether the delay runs 90 or 120 days is still undecided. Some stakeholders are pushing for a shorter window of 30 to 60 days.
Why delay instead of imposing tariffs immediately?
The delay would come with an import monitoring mechanism: the government would simultaneously announce it is tracking import volumes, reserving the right to intervene if a surge occurs.
In plain terms = a buffer for the market, but with a kill switch the government can pull at any time.
There is a cautionary precedent — the Biden administration in 2022 waived anti-dumping duties on solar modules for two years, and imports surged sharply afterward, drawing fierce criticism from domestic manufacturers. Pairing the delay with active monitoring is designed to avoid repeating that outcome.
Who welcomes this — and who opposes it?
Renewable-energy project developers welcome the delay: it gives them a window to lock in lower-priced imported materials before tariffs kick in, reducing project costs.
U.S. polysilicon and solar manufacturers oppose it: they have lobbied for immediate tariffs, arguing any grace period lets cheap imports flood the market and undermines the tariff's protective purpose.
This reflects a classic upstream-versus-downstream clash within the same supply chain — manufacturers want protection, developers want low prices.
How has the market reacted?
First Solar, the largest U.S. solar-module maker, was up as much as 6.8% intraday, but trimmed its gains after the delay reports emerged.
This means → the market initially bet that tariffs would benefit domestic manufacturers, but the prospect of a delay discounted that upside.
The broader context: the U.S. led global polysilicon production through the mid-2000s, but Chinese producers expanded aggressively and dominated supply by the late 2010s. The tariff plan is expected to include incentives for building or expanding manufacturing facilities on U.S. soil. Final details are still being finalized, and the timeline may shift.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.