US trade barriers may jeopardize solar manufacturing projects

A new report suggests that U.S. trade policies under President Donald Trump may negatively impact American clean energy efforts. The report from Climate Energy Finance claims that barriers against China's solar industry could drive Chinese companies to invest elsewhere, potentially harming U.S. manufacturing projects. Chinese solar firms had plans to build factories in the U.S., aiming for over 20 gigawatts of solar capacity by the end of 2025. However, these future projects might be in jeopardy due to the current administration's policies, the report warns. Harry Martin, an analyst with the think tank, notes that while tariffs can help domestic manufacturers, they also raise costs for American consumers. He advises that other countries should consider the implications of imposing trade barriers on China, saying it could shift investments to regions that benefit more from advanced solar technology.