The Trump administration has initiated a national security investigation into imports of wind turbines and their components, a move that could result in higher tariffs and increased scrutiny of foreign suppliers.
The inquiry, launched under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, began earlier this month but was only disclosed publicly late yesterday. The U.S. Commerce Department said it is requesting public comment on how original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are meeting domestic demand and the broader impact of foreign trade practices.
The department is also seeking input on “the impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on the competitiveness of the wind turbines and their parts and components industry.”
The investigation adds to growing uncertainty for the U.S. wind energy sector, particularly offshore wind projects under development along the East Coast. Some analysts have suggested the review could lead to delays or cost increases for projects reliant on imported components.
Earlier this week, the Commerce Department added wind turbines to a list of goods subject to a 50% tariff, expanding a series of trade actions under President Donald Trump’s administration targeting clean energy technologies.
The administration has repeatedly cited national security and domestic industry resilience as justification for such measures.
