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The Latest: Mexico slams US decision on solar panels tariff

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines (all times local):

9:55 p.m.

Mexico says it regrets the United States' decision not to exclude it from tariffs on imported washing machines and solar panels.

It says it will "use all available legal resources in response to the U.S. decision." It says its inclusion in the application of protections is "regrettable" given the U.S. International Trade Commission determined no damage exists to U.S. industry as a consequence of imports of Mexican washing machines.

U.S. President Donald Trump says approving the tariffs will help U.S. manufacturers. The Republican casts Monday's decision as part of his pledge to put American companies and jobs first.

His administration is imposing an immediate tariff of 30 percent on most imported solar modules, with the rate declining before phasing out after four years. For large residential washing machines, tariffs will start at up to 50 percent and phase out after three years.

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6:15 p.m.

An association representing solar installers says a U.S. tariff on solar panels will lead to the delay or cancellation of billions of dollars of investment in solar energy.

President Donald Trump said Monday he was approving tariffs on imported solar energy components and large washing machines in a bid to help U.S. manufacturers. The Republican says it's part of his pledge to put American companies and jobs first.

The Solar Energy Industries Association says the tariff will result in the loss of 23,000 industry jobs this year.

One of the group's members is Bill Vietas, president of RBI Solar in Cincinnati. He says government tariffs will increase the cost of solar and depress demand, reducing orders and costing manufacturing workers their jobs.

Whirlpool chairman Jeff Fettig say the decision on washing machines will create new manufacturing jobs in Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.

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5:55 p.m.

President Donald Trump is approving tariffs on imported solar-energy components and large washing machines in a bid to help U.S. manufacturers.

The administration cast Monday's decisions as part of Trump's pledge to put American companies and jobs first.

The administration is imposing an immediate tariff of 30 percent on most imported solar modules, with the rate declining before phasing out after four years.

For large residential washing machines, tariffs will start at up to 50 percent and phase out after three years.

The U.S. solar industry is split over the issue. Two small subsidiaries of foreign companies that made solar cells in the U.S. favor tariffs, but a larger number of companies that install solar-power systems say their costs will rise and jobs will be lost.

File- This Feb. 1, 2017, file photo shows Affordable Solar president Kevin Bassalleck talking about the full-time positions his company will create as Gov. Susana Martinez listens during a news conference in Albuquerque, N.M. Some in the U.S. solar-power industry are hoping a decision this week by President Donald Trump doesn’t bring on an eclipse. Companies that install solar-power systems for homeowners and utilities are bracing for Trump’s call on whether to slap tariffs on imported panels. Bassalleck, said tariffs would hurt homegrown companies that make racks, tracking systems and electronics that are part of a power system. He said jobs at those companies are hard to outsource. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan, File) The Associated Press
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