Houston Daily

Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) is leading a letter, along with House Republican colleagues, to Secretary of State Marco Rubio in support of the Trump Administration's position for the upcoming United Nations Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Geneva. The group aims to ensure that American interests are prioritized during these talks.

Crenshaw had previously addressed this issue by sending a congressional letter to then-Secretary of State Anthony Blinken last fall. At that time, the Biden administration supported production caps during earlier treaty discussions, which Crenshaw and others argued would negatively impact the U.S. economy. The new letter emphasizes support for a treaty based on scientific evidence and economic considerations that favor American industry.

A recent executive order signed by President Trump on January 20th directs the United States to prioritize its own interests in international environmental agreements. Supporters say this approach gives the country an opportunity to move away from international policies they believe undermine domestic manufacturing and competitiveness.

“With President Trump's leadership, the U.S. has an opportunity to undo the damage of the Biden-Harris era and restore common sense to environmental policy and plastic production supply chains,” said Congressman Crenshaw. “Plastic production is essential to our economy, national defense, and modern life. Rather than capping U.S. production and outsourcing pollution to China, we should lead with technological advancements in recycling, an innovative mindset that advances human flourishing, and a strategy that strengthens American industry while responsibly conserving the environment.”

The plastics sector employs more than one million people in the United States and adds over $500 billion annually to the economy through direct contributions and tax revenue supporting infrastructure projects at multiple levels. Industry advocates also argue that U.S.-made plastics have higher environmental standards compared to imports from countries like China.

“The Biden administration’s climate radicalism threatened to cripple an industry vital to everything from medical technology to military readiness,” Crenshaw added. “We’re supporting the Trump administration's efforts to negotiate a treaty that reflects American values—leadership, innovation, and economic strength.”

The lawmakers’ letter calls for pursuing a global agreement that maintains fair competition in supply chains without imposing arbitrary limits on production. They advocate for solutions based on science and innovation rather than increased regulation.

Dan Crenshaw has represented Texas’s 2nd district since 2018, winning general elections against Democratic challengers Todd Litton (2018), Sima Ladjevardian (2020), Robin Fulford (2022), and Peter Filler (2024).