A new analysis by the Solar Energy Industries Association concludes that the Trump administration's tariffs on imported solar products has led to the loss of 62,000 U.S. jobs—a conclusion a White House official called "fake news."

SEIA's analysis looked at the economic impacts of the administration's tariffs on imported solar cells and modules. In addition to the lost jobs, the authors said the policy also resulted in the loss of $19 billion in new private sector investment.

Peter Navarro, the White House trade and manufacturing adviser, dismissed the report in an interview with Reuters news agency. He called the analysis "classic fake news dressed up in academic mumbo jumbo." He also said SEIA was "a loose confederation of Chinese solar companies seeking to destroy American solar manufacturing jobs." https://reut.rs/2s3F4jw

SEIA CEO Abigail Ross Hopper responded to Navarro's comments in a statement published on the group's website. She said she was "heartened to hear the president share his concern about climate change, and I think we agree that greater use of solar energy and a strong solar manufacturing presence is one way to meet our collective goals of continuing American economic growth and meaningfully addressing climate change.

"We'd be thrilled if Mr. Navarro would come to one of our conferences to meet some of the 242,000 Americans who work in this great industry, including the tens of thousands of people who manufacture solar products," she added.

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