Washington, D.C. — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, has released a new economic analysis examining U.S. plastics trade with El Salvador and Guatemala, and the implications of recent reciprocal tariffs on supply chains, manufacturing competitiveness, and regional trade relationships.
Dr. Pineda writes, “Beyond supporting domestic manufacturing, the targeted use of reciprocal tariffs—alongside narrowly defined exemptions for pharmaceutical and aircraft-related plastics—points to an effort to balance trade openness with supply-chain reliability and operational resilience. Even as the United States continues to post strong plastics trade surpluses with CAFTA-DR partners, these measures suggest a pragmatic approach to managing exposure, reinforcing regional production networks, and maintaining dependable access to critical inputs. Taken together, the policy framework remains consistent with longstanding cooperative trade relationships while adapting to changing economic and industrial conditions.”
Click here to read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog.
About the Plastics Industry Association
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $551 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
