The Plastics Industry Association Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, has released a new economic analysis exploring how recent changes in U.S. trade policy are reshaping global plastics trade—framed through a cross-border conversation with international trade expert Professor Shujiro Urata.
The analysis examines the evolving U.S.-Japan trade relationship against a backdrop of higher tariffs, shifting supply chains, and increased global economic uncertainty. New data show U.S. plastics trade declined in 2025, while import duties surged—signaling a more complex trade environment driven by rising costs and changing sourcing decisions.
Dr. Pineda writes, “While the smaller trade deficit may appear positive on the surface, the data suggest a more complex picture—one shaped by reduced trade flows, higher costs, and shifting sourcing decisions rather than stronger underlying competitiveness.
“The broader global trade environment has shifted, forcing countries to reassess commercial relationships as supply chains adapt to new tariffs, geopolitical risks, and slower global growth. For the plastics industry, that means the U.S.-Japan trade relationship is no longer just about bilateral flows—it is increasingly about resilience, competitiveness, and strategic alignment in a changing global economy.”
The conversation also explores how changes in exchange rates, investment trends, industrial policy, and consumer demand are influencing global trade and supply chain alignment.
Click here to read Dr. Pineda’s full conversation with Prof. Shujiro Urata.
