China mulls tariff exemptions for US ethane, PE

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China is considering exempting some chemical imports from the US, including ethane, polyethylene (PE) and styrene polymers, from tariffs, according to an unofficial document obtained by ICIS on Friday.

Based on the document titled “First Batch List of Reciprocal Tariff Exempted Commodities”, ethane, other acyclic hydrocarbons, linear low-density PE (LLDPE) imports from the US, will be exempted from China’s announced additional 125% levies.

Other proposed exemptions are PE, ethylene polymers and styrene polymers in their primary shapes.

The itemized list has 131 products, including drugs, vaccines, motors and some electronic components.

The list, which started making rounds in the Chinese markets late on 24 April, could not be confirmed with China Customs at the time of writing.

Additional reporting by Fanny Zhang

Visit the ICIS Topic Page: US tariffs, policy – impact on chemicals and energy.