Markets rally as US and China ease tariff tensions

As tariff tensions ease between the US and China, global markets are responding quickly. For Europe’s plastics and packaging sector, this shift could bring much-needed stability in resin pricing, supply availability, and sourcing opportunities. But it also introduces new urgency. Freight flows are changing, economic forecasts are being revised, and supply chain strategies must stay flexible. 

In this in-depth article, you will uncover:

• The key terms of the new US-China tariff agreement and how it is already reshaping trade 
• Market reactions across Europe, Asia, and the United States 
• Impacts on key plastics and chemical materials such as PE, PP, EG, and MDI 
• The latest shifts in feedstock and freight patterns and how they may affect your sourcing decisions 
• Economic growth outlooks from institutions like the IMF and ING 
• Insights from CEOs on what to expect next in global trade 
• The chemicals sector’s reaction, including capacity plans and demand shifts 
• What the new US-UK trade deal signals for future negotiations 
• Why the EU’s proposed tariff list could create more disruption in the months ahead 

The article also unpacks how this temporary reprieve may disrupt seasonal buying patterns and why acting now could make or break your strategy for the rest of the year.

Read on to make sense of the macro trends, anticipate the next move and respond with confidence