U.S. tariffs on solar panels hinder climate action, Cambodian experts say

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) — The U.S. decision to impose tariffs on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian nations will hinder global efforts to combat climate change and negatively impact American consumers, Cambodian experts have said.
Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, described the move as a manifestation of a zero-sum approach.
“These tariffs jeopardize global efforts to combat climate change and could significantly delay the transition to renewable energy sources,” he told Xinhua.
“The repercussions extend beyond Southeast Asian exporters, adversely affecting U.S. consumers and businesses that depend on affordable solar technology,” he added.
Phea noted that the imposition of these tariffs has counterproductive consequences, straining international relations, undermining domestic economic stability, and hindering progress toward environmental sustainability goals.
“This policy reflects a profound misunderstanding of the interconnectedness of global markets and shared environmental responsibilities,” he said.
Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said that the tariffs fail to protect U.S. manufacturers while burdening consumers.
“U.S. importers will ultimately pass the cost to retailers and consumers,” he said. “In the end, ordinary people and taxpayers will suffer.”
Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said the move was a double-edged sword for the United States.
“The tariffs would lead to higher costs for solar panels in the U.S., and this, in turn, could slow the adoption of solar energy and increase expenses for consumers and businesses investing in renewable energy projects,” he warned.
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Friday a new round of tariffs on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian nations, namely Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with preliminary dumping duties ranging from 21.31 percent to 271.28 percent. ■