Proposed retaliatory tariffs from the European Union on goods imported from the U.S. could affect $5.9 billion in plastic resin and products, according to an analysis by Perc Pineda, chief economist for the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS).
The analysis said the European Commission has identified 1,708 products for possible countermeasures, including 60 resin and plastic products, and the $5.9 billion figure is based on 2024 export values of those products.
Based on the $4.3 billion in U.S. imports of those resin and plastic products from the EU in 2024, the European Commission’s proposed countermeasures put a potential $1.6 billion U.S. trade surplus from 2024 at risk in 2025, Pineda said.
He noted that while the European Commission has not included equipment and molds in its proposed countermeasures, U.S. plastics equipment and mold makers that use steel and aluminum imported from the EU are already affected by the U.S. tariffs.
The U.S. plastics industry and its business partners in the EU are encouraged to provide input on the proposal, Pineda said.
PLASTICS has already expressed concern about tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China.
“While we understand President Trump’s rationale, a competitive industry depends on policies that protect American manufacturing while ensuring stable supply chains. These tariffs will disrupt the movement of essential machines, products and materials that keep American manufacturers running across sectors like health care, consumer products and automotive,” said PLASTICS President and CEO Matt Seaholm in a March 4 statement.
