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How One Country Broke the WTO's Rules on Solar Panels
Description
India's solar panel manufacturing program was dealt a major blow in May 2026 when a WTO dispute panel ruled that its domestic content requirements violated global trade rules. In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine the case brought by the United States, the specific WTO provisions India was found to have violated, and what the ruling means for the future of industrial policy and renewable energy supply chains. The hosts walk through India's argument that the policy was justified under a general exception for environmental protection, and why the panel rejected that defense. They also discuss the broader implications for countries trying to build domestic manufacturing capacity in strategic sectors. A tight, focused look at one ruling that could reshape how governments support green industries.