Chemicals caught in the middle as tariffs loom
America’s chemicals and plastics industry stands to lose $5bn if US–China dispute escalates
The threat of a trade war between the US and China, which could significantly harm America’s chemical industry, appears to be escalating. Most recently, China announced plans to impose a 179% tariff on US sorghum, effective 18 April. Sorghum is a drought-resistant crop typically used to feed livestock, and increasingly in ethanol production.