Monthly Archives: May 2019

Changes in China’s Imports of Polyethylene by Region

In April 2019, for the second month in a row, China’s imports of ethylene polymers hit a new record high. Year to date, reduced volumes from North America were offset by increased volumes from Asia-Pacific sources.

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Surge in US Exports of PE in March 2019; Declining Imports of Fabricated Plastic Products

The US exported 800,000 tons of ethylene polymers in March 2019, a new record. Imports of fabricated plastic products, many of which come from China, were impacted by the US-China trade war.

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China’s PE Imports Reach a New High in March; Exports of Fabricated Plastic Products Dampened

China’s imports of ethylene polymers slowed only slightly for the New Year holiday in February and then shot to a new record in March 2019. Exports of fabricated plastic products, however, fell sharply in February, with only a partial rebound in March.

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Update on the US – China Trade War

Late on Friday, May 3, a diplomatic cable from China to Washington edited out core provisions from the 150-page draft agreement that had been the result of months of negotiations between the two countries. Instead of a signing ceremony possibly by the end of May, the US will now raise duties from 10% to 25% on $200 B of imports from China at 12:01 AM on May 10th and may apply duties to an additional $325 B that have not yet been hit with duties – essentially impacting everything the US imports from China.

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