The new order goes into effect October 30, 2026. The original imposition of tariffs on the PE and PP fabricated products, and many others, was announced on July 20, 2026, as retaliation against punitive measures by Canada on imports of automobiles from US. (Proclamation 11048 Imposing Additional Duties to Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States with Respect to Motor Vehicles.)
Continue readingMonthly Archives: October 2026
China’s Commodity Polymers Exports to Europe up Sharply through Sept’26 as EU Considers New Trade Defense Tools
Although the EU Summit that concluded October 16th, 2026 yielded a concession from China to reduce exports of electric vehicles to Europe by almost half, the European Commission was charged with creating, “without delay”, new and possibly severe trade defense instruments to counter imports of other products, including chemicals. Details and what, if any, polymers were included were not provided (The Straits Times).
Continue readingChina’s Polyethylene Imports from Saudi Arabia Rebounded in Q3 2026
The increase in the third quarter followed a steep drop in the second, suggesting that Saudi Arabia has successfully redirected more polyethylene shipments via alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz, and possibly that some progress has been made in moving material through the Strait itself.
Continue readingIran’s Recently Published Liquefied Propane Gas Export Statistics Show Shipments ~200kt/Month From April to August 2026
Monthly LPG volume was relatively steady from April, although down sharply versus the first quarter.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Rebounded in August 2026 to Levels Last Seen at the Start of the Iranian Conflict
Higher shipments to China were a key factor in the August rebound.
Continue readingIran’s Recently Published Polyethylene Export Statistics Show a Rebound in Shipments in July and August 2026
China, Pakistan, and other trading partner import statistics corroborate the increase in polyethylene volumes from Iran and other Middle East sources.
Continue readingTrends in Acrylic Acid Trade
The volume of global trade in acrylic acid fell substantially over 2021 to 2025 and is projected down slightly September 2026 YTD. Profound shifts were evident in key regional trends.
Continue readingSharply Lower Middle East Styrene Monomer Exports Through September 2026 Impacted Asia-Pacific Trade Flows for Monomer and Polymers
Asia-Pacific shipments of styrene monomer surged. Exports of general purpose and expandable polystyrene also expanded, but ABS was down.
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