Trump administration to impose 15% tariff in polysilicon probe meant to counter China

By Nichola Groom, Alexandra Alper and Jarrett Renshaw

WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The Trump administration will announce as soon as Thursday a 15% tariff and a series of price floors on products made from polysilicon, the key raw material used in solar panels and semiconductors, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

The move aims to protect U.S. polysilicon factories ‌from growing Chinese ambitions in the chip supply chain.

The proclamation by U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to include minimum import prices on polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules, or solar panels, and a 15% tariff on the polysilicon derivatives, the four sources said.

The administration's plan to pursue a hybrid system combining a minimum import price with tariffs was first reported by Reuters.

Trump's year-long national security investigation into polysilicon by the Commerce Department also has major implications for the growing domestic solar manufacturing industry at a time when the U.S. leader has rolled back federal support for renewable energy.

The Commerce Department and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom in Los Angeles; Alexandra Alper in Washington and Jarrett Renshaw in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)