S&P Global Offerings
Featured Topics
Featured Products
Events
S&P Global Offerings
Featured Topics
Featured Products
Events
S&P Global Offerings
Featured Topics
Featured Products
Events
Solutions
Capabilities
Delivery Platforms
News & Research
Our Methodology
Methodology & Participation
Reference Tools
Featured Events
S&P Global
S&P Global Offerings
S&P Global
Research & Insights
Solutions
Capabilities
Delivery Platforms
News & Research
Our Methodology
Methodology & Participation
Reference Tools
Featured Events
S&P Global
S&P Global Offerings
S&P Global
Research & Insights
S&P Global Offerings
Featured Topics
Featured Products
Events
Support
Chemicals, Polymers
March 14, 2025
HIGHLIGHTS
EU retaliatory tariffs estimated to impact $28 billion in US exports
European countries import 7%-11% of total US PE exports in January
This content is part of the WPC 2025 series, which explores key themes from the 40th annual World Petrochemical Conference.
New tariff impositions could compromise US polyethylene trade flows to European markets, market participants said March 14.
Along with previously suspended tariffs, the European Commission announced March 12 that "strong but proportionate" retaliatory tariffs of 25% will be placed on agricultural and plastic exports to the US.
Products under tariff order account for an estimated $28 billion worth of exported US goods, according to the EC.
In 2024, Europe accounted for 16.38%, or 1.3 million mt, of total PE exports, according to US International Trade Commission data.
The countries that make up the EU and are represented by the commission, which is enforcing the tariff, imported 10.32%, or 836,000 mt, of total US PE exports in 2024, ITC data showed.
A distributor selling US export PE into EU countries told Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, that buyers have asked to "hold all shipments from now on."
While some buyers are considering alternative sourcing options to avoid tariff charges, the distributor said about half of his buyers have remained, highlighting recent market uncertainty over tariff development and mixed sentiment over long-term impacts.
January linear low density PE exports to Europe reached 89,000 mt, making up 7.15% of total US LLDPE exports for the month, American Chemistry Council data showed.
Additionally, low density PE exports to Europe accounted for 11.16%, or 39,000 mt, and high density PE for 10.12%, or 71,000 mt, of US total exports for January, according to ACC data.
Compared to ACC seasonal trends and historical data available, US PE exports at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 were down on the year, with market participants noting shipping delays and market uncertainty over tariffs as new variables impacting demand.