Growing Number of Senate Dems Oppose Biden Rule Waiving Tariffs on Chinese Solar Panel Parts

Democrats Signal Opposition to Biden’s Tariff Waiver on Chinese Solar Panels

Several Democrats in the U.S. Senate are taking a stand against President Joe Biden’s administration’s rule that temporarily lifts tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels. This move has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers, with some supporting the waiver and others opposing it.

The Tariff Waiver

In September, Biden’s Department of Commerce submitted a rule to drop tariffs on solar panels completed in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam using parts and components manufactured in China. The tariff waiver was set to last until June 2024 or until Biden rescinds a related emergency proclamation over struggles to “provide sufficient electricity generation to serve expected customer demand” in the United States.

Democratic Opposition

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced a resolution of disapproval in February to overturn the Commerce Department’s solar panel tariff waiver. While Republicans initially introduced the disapproval resolution, several Democratic lawmakers supported the measure. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) signed on as a co-sponsor of the resolution on Wednesday.

Addressing his decision to break with his fellow Democrats, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said Biden “got this one wrong.” Brown argued that by exempting solar panels built in the four Southeast Asian countries, China could circumvent U.S. trade regulations by routing them through those four exempted countries.

The Washington Post reported Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has also said he would vote for the disapproval resolution to support “red, white, and blue manufacturing jobs.” Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) shared support for the disapproval resolution, saying, “China’s got to be held accountable.”

A fifth Democratic Senator, Montana’s John Tester, is reportedly weighing whether or not to oppose the Biden administration’s tariff waiver and back the Republican-led disapproval resolution. A spokesperson for Tester told Fox News he is still reviewing the issue.

House Dems Also Opposing Tariff Waiver

House and Senate lawmakers are moving forward with a resolution of disapproval to overturn the Commerce Department’s solar panel tariff waiver. The resolution has gained support from both sides of the aisle, with Democrats and Republicans alike expressing concern over the impact of the tariff waiver on American manufacturing and jobs.

Conclusion

The debate over Biden’s tariff waiver on Chinese solar panels is far from over. As lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continue to weigh in on the issue, it remains to be seen whether the waiver will be overturned or allowed to stand.

• Key Takeaways:
• Several Democrats in the U.S. Senate are opposing President Joe Biden’s administration’s rule that temporarily lifts tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels.
• Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced a resolution of disapproval in February to overturn the Commerce Department’s solar panel tariff waiver.
• Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) signed on as a co-sponsor of the resolution on Wednesday.
• House and Senate lawmakers are moving forward with a resolution of disapproval to overturn the Commerce Department’s solar panel tariff waiver.