Trump’s Push to Kill Solar Loophole Blocked by Trade Court (1)

The Trump administration lost another bid to kill a tariff loophole on imported solar equipment, enabling American developers to continue skirting its duties for the time being.

A U.S. trade court on Wednesday rejected the administration’s request to clear the way for removal of a tariff exemption on bifacial, or two-sided, panels. U.S. Court of International Trade Judge Gary Katzmann said the government had yet to meet its “burden of showing sufficiently changed circumstances to justify dissolving” a preliminary injunction against the exemption’s elimination.

The ruling is a blow to manufacturers that have invested in U.S. production and a win ...