China Slams U.S. Polysilicon Import Restrictions as "Self-Defeating" Move That Will Drive Up Solar Costs

As the United States decided to set a minimum import price and impose an additional 15% tariff on polysilicon and its derivatives—core materials for semiconductors and solar panels—a Chinese state-run media outlet criticized the move, calling it a "self-defeating shot in the foot that will increase cost burdens."

Quoting domestic experts, the state-run Global Times reported on the 7th that while the U.S. is tightening polysilicon regulations to reduce China's supply chain influence in solar and semiconductors, this could end up saddling U.S. companies and consumers with higher costs.

The newspaper argued that the competitiveness of the solar industry does not simply stem from having production facilities, but rather from an industrial ecosystem where raw materials, component supply chains, and manufacturing experience are accumulated.

He Weiwen, a senior researcher at the think tank Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times, "The challenge for the U.S. is to translate its technological strengths into actual production capacity, but U.S. policymakers seem more focused on erecting barriers."

He added, "If U.S. technological superiority remains limited to basic research and capital investment without being applied to industrial sites, it will be difficult to sustain," while claiming that "China, on the other hand, has the strength to rapidly commercialize technology and apply it on a large scale."

The outlet also argued that U.S. regulations against China could turn into a trap of its own making.

Tian Feng, an AI expert formerly with Chinese artificial intelligence firm SenseTime, said, "Tariffs and minimum import price systems can temporarily protect the profits of U.S. companies, but they cannot generate the effects of economies of scale or the industrial capabilities accumulated through years of production and market experience."

He further argued, "If the U.S. excludes Chinese polysilicon and solar modules from its energy infrastructure, clean energy costs will rise sharply and the pace of deployment will slow down."

He added, "Higher energy costs will eventually be passed on to power-hungry AI data centers," noting that "rising solar power generation costs could also act as a burden on the U.S. AI industry."

Polysilicon is a core raw material used in the manufacturing of solar panels and a high-purity silicon material also utilized in semiconductor production.

China accounts for a high share of the global polysilicon market, backed by large-scale production facilities and related supply chains.

Earlier on the 6th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation containing measures to restrict imports of polysilicon and its derivative products.

Consequently, starting December 4 of this year, a minimum import price will be set and a 15% tariff will be imposed on polysilicon and its derivatives.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.