The U.S. broadened its trade dispute with China by imposing steep tariffs on solar imports from four Southeast Asian countries where Chinese manufacturers have set up factories in recent years.

Chinese firms pursue Southeast Asia listings to offset US tariff risks, with Singapore and Thailand emerging as key alternatives to Hong Kong.

With American trade officials having finalised steep tariffs on solar cell imports from Southeast Asia, Chinese solar manufacturers have been tapping more regions for factory plans in a bid to secure alternative shipping routes to the US.