Americas top stories: weekly summary

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 6 June.

Clarity on US tariffs could cause big bounce in chemicals demand – Dow CEO
A clearer picture on the ultimate level of US tariffs could lead to a surge in pent-up demand for chemicals and plastics, said the CEO of Dow.

Brazil customs workers up strike pressure with new ‘zero clearance’ period at Santos port
Brazil’s customs auditors have announced a new five-day “zero clearance period” at the Port of Santos on 2-6 June in which no physical inspections will be carried out, according to a letter to customers by logistics company Unimar seen by ICIS.

Tariff-driven uncertainty puts lid on potential recovery in US PP – Braskem
Uncertainty surrounding tariffs is tempering what could be a recovery in US demand for polypropylene (PP), executives at Braskem said on Wednesday.

China ethane crackers face feedstock challenge as US restricts supply
Operations at China’s ethane crackers that rely solely on US supply will likely be disrupted, at least in the short term, as the US restricts exports of the feedstock gas.

INSIGHT: New regulatory threats emerging for US chems
A new regulatory threat for the US chemical industry is emerging from the alignment of two wings of the nation’s main political parties, which could use what critics describe as pseudoscience to adopt restrictive and unneeded policies.

Asia-Europe shipping prices jump on US-China trading window
Container prices for Asia cargoes to Europe jumped sharply week on week amid a general surge in freight costs as players look to lock down shipments from China to the US during the pause in reciprocal tariffs between the countries.

Mexico’s Pemex turnaround key to unlock $50 billion chemicals investments – ANIQ
Mexico’s chemicals sector is ready to potentially invest $50 billion in the next decade if key challenges are addressed, including performance at state-owned energy major Pemex, according to the president of trade group ANIQ.