New capacity, weak demand and tariff uncertainties resulted in a 6% drop, to 1.1 million tons, in China’s imports of polyethylene from the US. Some US polymer has been directed to Turkey.
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China/Vietnam Trade in Several Major Polymers and Chemicals Unlikely to Include Significant Transshipments
A new trade agreement between the US and Vietnam lowers tariffs on goods imported into US from Vietnam as the country of origin but keeps tariffs high if the goods are transshipped from China. Trade between China and Vietnam does not indicate significant transshipments for polyolefins and other products.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports in May 2025 Continued Depressed on Lower China Trade
Chinese retaliatory tariffs on imports of polyethylene from the US resulted in a 24% drop in US shipments to China for the January – May 2025 period, to 822,000 tons. That decline was somewhat offset by higher volumes to other markets, resulting in a 4% increase in the US total, to 6.5 million tons YTD.
Continue readingNew US Sanctions on Russian Petrochemical Exports, if Passed, Would: Impact Trade in Polyolefins, Liquefied Gases, Rubber and Other Products; Affect Many Importing Countries; and Cripple Russia’s Economy
The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, introduced in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives in April 2025, is currently in committee. Its enactment is far from certain and depends on negotiations toward peace between Russia and Ukraine. Were it to pass, the impact on Russia would be crippling because of the country’s reliance on exports of energy and related products.
Continue readingThe US Exports Substantially More Ethane than Polyethylene to China, But Ethane Shipments May Now be Subject to Licensing Requirements
Ethane is a key feedstock for producing ethylene, which in turn is polymerized to make polyethylene — one of the world’s most widely-traded plastics.
The US exported 1.8 million tons of ethane to China through April 2025, up 23%. As part of the ongoing trade conflict the US Commerce Dept. has indicated that licenses may now be required to continue these exports.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports to China Hit 16-Month Low Amidst Tariff Uncertainty
The impact of the trade war between the US and China and the associated tariff uncertainty was reflected in US exports of polyethylene to China in April 2025, the lowest in 16 months.
Continue readingChina’s Polymer Trade in April 2025: Record Exports, Low Imports, Huge Challenges Ahead
Following the traditional Chinese New Year slowdown in February, China’s exports of all the commodity polymers – PE, PP, PVC, Styrenics, and PET – rebounded to record levels in March and continued strong in April. Exports of fabricated products also were high. Imports were flat. Major headwinds are expected to impact exports in the coming months.
Continue readingBrazil’s Commodity Polymer Imports May be Peaking
Brazil’s commodity polymer imports have surged 86% over the past three years—from 648,000 tons in April 2022 YTD to 1.2 million tons through April 2025—with polyethylene and polypropylene accounting for the bulk of the volume. That trend may be reversing.
Continue readingThe US Eyes Tougher Sanctions on Countries Importing Iranian Petrochemicals
While US sanctions currently target specific companies that facilitate exports of Iranian oil, Washington is weighing a broader move: sanctions on countries that import Iranian petrochemicals. This potential escalation could impact ethylene glycol, methanol, polyethylene, and liquefied butane and propane gases, among others, with wide-ranging implications for global trade flows. Iranian export statistics show China as the largest destination for these products. Volumes do not, however, correlate with China’s import statistics.
Continue readingImports of Nearly All Widely Traded Polymers and Chemicals are NOT Exempt from the New Tariffs Announced by the US on April 2, 2025
The tariff situation is rapidly evolving. The Executive Order announced by the White House on April 2, 2025 to go into effect April 5 imposed a 10% general tariff on nearly all products imported into the US. This was to be followed by additional tariffs that would vary depending on the country. All of these may change as a result of currently ongoing negotiations.
In Annex II to the Executive Order, the White House exempted certain strategic goods. Most organic chemicals, polymers, and fabricated plastic products are not on this list and are not exempt.
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