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.

China accounted for nearly half of the US ethane export total of 3.9 million tons, April 2025 YTD. The US has limited options for alternative markets for ethane in the short term; several ethane-loaded vessels are currently stalled in US waters.

US exports of polyethylene (all grades) to China through April 2025 were 771,000 tons, down 13%. China accounted for 15% of the US total of 5.3 million tons. The steep drop visible in April 2025 was partly due to the lowest shipments to China in 16 months, and also lower exports to other markets faced with tariff uncertainty, including Brazil and Canada.

From International Trader Publications’ World Trade Analyses, continuously updated analyses of trade based on statistics from all reporting countries.