Trump's re-election could unravel US role in global plastic treaty talks

With Trump poised to retake the White House, U.S. support for cutting plastic production could shift sharply, threatening efforts for a robust treaty at the upcoming South Korea negotiations.

Jordan Wolman and Leonie Cater report for Politico.

In short:

• The U.S. is set to participate in negotiations for a global plastic treaty, but a Trump win could see the country align with petro-states like Saudi Arabia, weakening the treaty’s environmental impact.
• Current U.S. negotiators have backed ambitious targets to cut plastic production, a recent shift under Biden, but opposition from the plastics industry and GOP lawmakers remains strong.
• The U.S. has historically struggled to ratify international agreements, raising doubts about any treaty’s future success in the Senate, where it needs bipartisan support.

Key quote:

“A Trump election would really spell doom, I think, for a strong treaty, at least one that includes the United States.”

— Rep. Jared Huffman, U.S. Congress

Why this matters:

Trump’s administration famously sidelined environmental protections, and his close ties with the fossil fuel industry — the lifeblood of plastic production — suggest that this stance isn’t likely to change. Read more: “Plastic will overwhelm us:” Scientists say health should be the core of global plastic treaty.