Washington, D.C. — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, has released a new economic analysis highlighting the resilience of the U.S.–Mexico plastics trade relationship and assessing how recent changes in Mexico’s tariff policies could affect U.S. plastics exports.
Dr. Pineda writes, “The United States recorded another plastics trade surplus with Mexico in 2024, totaling $11.6 billion. By category, the surplus consisted of $7.92 billion in resins, $3.2 billion in plastic products, and $239.2 million and $282.5 million in machinery and molds, respectively. Over the past ten years, the plastics trade surplus has ranged from $8.3 billion to $11.6 billion. However, recent changes in Mexico’s trade and tariff policies present both opportunities and challenges for the U.S. plastics industry.
Taken together, Mexico’s tariff shift creates a clear window of opportunity for U.S. plastics companies to act decisively. While the policy may be temporary, the potential gains are real: timely engagement could translate into lasting market share expansion and a stronger long-term position in the United States’ most important export market for plastics,” concluded Pineda.
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.
