By Esther Ososanya
The Trump administration has urged multiple countries to oppose any global treaty that limits plastic production.
This position puts the U.S. directly at odds with more than 100 countries pushing for ambitious action against plastic pollution.
In a communication dated July 25, U.S. officials stated they would not support production caps, bans on plastic products, or restrictions on chemical additives, measures seen by many nations as key to curbing pollution across the full life cycle of plastics.
“We will not support impractical global approaches,” the memo stated, warning that restrictions would raise costs for plastic products used in daily life.
The U.N. negotiations in Geneva, initially billed as the final round for a binding global plastics treaty, have been marred by sharp divisions. Oil-producing countries, including the U.S., oppose caps on virgin plastic made from fossil fuels. The European Union, small island states, and others are calling for strict controls.
A State Department spokesperson emphasised that each country should take action based on its “national context”, whether through bans or better recycling systems.
Global Reactions and Tensions
Greenpeace USA criticised the move as a “return to old-school bullying” by the U.S., echoing tactics used during previous Republican administrations. Other delegates warned the U.S. stance could weaken multilateralism and stall real progress.
“Refusing to include plastic production in this treaty is not a negotiation stance; it is economic self-sabotage,” said Panama’s lead delegate, Juan Carlos Monterrey-Gomez.
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The U.S. has also proposed revising the treaty’s draft objective, removing language that commits to addressing the “full life cycle of plastics”. Sources suggest this signals an attempt to renegotiate terms agreed in 2022.
The U.S. position aligns closely with petrochemical industry interests, which have consistently resisted binding production limits. Without intervention, global plastic production is projected to triple by 2060, worsening ocean pollution, health risks, and climate change, according to the OECD.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
