Criticism mounts against Biden-Harris administration's support for plastic production caps

On October 15, Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) spearheaded a letter from members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee to U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The letter expresses concerns over the Biden-Harris administration's recent support for plastic production caps in the United Nations’ Global Plastics Treaty. According to the signatories, these production limits could hinder U.S. economic activity and increase dependence on countries with less stringent emissions standards.

Plastics play a vital role in numerous sectors, including medical devices, consumer electronics, and military equipment. The U.S. plastics industry contributes $543 billion to the national economy, supports over one million jobs, and generates at least $862 billion in tax revenue. The letter argues that American plastic producers already comply with strict environmental regulations and produce with lower emissions compared to many international competitors. It warns that maintaining the current policy stance might result in lost economic opportunities and weakened supply chains while inadvertently increasing global pollution levels.

Furthermore, the administration's approach raises legal questions regarding its authority to impose caps on private company production levels. The State Department’s endorsement of this position could potentially harm U.S. diplomatic standing if it proves difficult or illegal to enforce.

Congressman Crenshaw criticized the administration's decision: “One of the perennial problems of the Biden-Harris administration is their inability to strike a balance between policy goals and real-world consequences—especially when it concerns environmental policy,” he said. He added that this decision would negatively impact American workers without effectively addressing plastic waste issues.

Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association, echoed these sentiments: "The Plastics Industry Association and our members are committed to keeping plastic waste out of our environment and in the economy,” he stated. Seaholm emphasized that limiting essential materials would increase reliance on foreign supply chains and threaten American jobs without yielding intended environmental benefits. He suggested alternative policies such as enhancing recycling infrastructure to achieve environmental goals.