US to impose tariffs of up to 3,521% on south-east Asia solar panels

US trade officials are preparing to impose tariffs of up to 3,521% on imports of solar panels from four south-east Asian countries.

The US commerce department has announced the new tariffs, targeting companies in Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, after an investigation begun a year ago when American manufacturers of solar panels accused Chinese companies of flooding the market with subsidised, cheap goods, the Guradian reported.

Among firms targeted were Chinese companies Jinko Solar and Trina Solar.

Products from Cambodia are set to face duties of up to 3,521 percent, according to the Commerce Department.

Jinko Solar faced duties of 40 percent for exports from Malaysia and around 245 percent for goods from Vietnam.

Trina Solar in Thailand will see duties of more than 375 percent, and more than 200 percent for products from Vietnam.