U.S. has ended tariff exemptions on PET and rPET imports, imposing duties up to 50% on select countries, impacting Asian exporters. Domestic demand remains weak amid oversupply and falling prices. Brands are shifting away from using rPET and toward virgin PET or cheaper alternative imports. Asian producers have hence cut down their capacity operating rates, while trade flows from China move to Taiwan and South Korea with an adjustment to duties.
