United States | Customs duties on drones and solar panels envisaged

(Washington) The US trade department announced on Monday that it has launched procedures that could lead to the establishment of sectoral customs duties on drones. Similarly, the elements necessary for the manufacture of solar panels in a few months. Similarly,

Posted yesterday at 7:44 p.m.

In both cases. However, the ministry opened the 1^is July a public inquiry, the first step necessary before deciding whether these products must be subject to a particular customs tax or not. However,

They concern the air -controlled air apparatuses (or drones) as well as polycrystalline silicon. Moreover, its derivatives, which are used united states | customs duties for the manufacture of solar panels and semiconductors.

These procedures are carried out within the framework of section 232. a provision of American law allowing the government to protect a sector of activity thanks to customs duties if it considers that it represents a risk to national security.

The customs duties imposed on steel. aluminum as well as the procedures launched concerning semiconductors and pharmaceutical products, in view of a customs tax, were also justified or carried out as part of section 232.

The United States is among the main drone producers. with China and Israel, while other countries such as Turkey, Iran, Russia or more recently Ukraine, have developed low-cost military drones in recent years, more and more used in conflicts.

Chinese industrialists and DJIs united states | customs duties are also the main producers of civilian drones.

China also represented more than 90 % of polycrystalline silicon production worldwide in 2024. according to the specialized firm Thunder Said Energy, a significant part of which would come from the Xinjiang region, where Beijing is accused of having interned more than a million members of the Uighur Muslim minority in recent years, accusations rejected by China.

The public inquiry launched by the US government must last 21 days after the publication of decrees in the Official Journal.

The Commerce Department has 270 days to investigate its investigation. which can integrate the consultation of other branches of the government and hearings, before informing its recommendations to the American president, Donald Trump, who can then decide on the establishment of customs duties.