The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) chief economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, released a new economic analysis examining how shifts in U.S. trade and tariff policy are shaping the plastics sector’s economic footprint. The analysis highlights the industry’s $550.1 billion in shipments, more than 1.7 million American jobs supported, and over $78 billion in exports, with a state-by-state breakdown of employment and export activity.
Dr. Pineda wrote, “Taken together, these data illustrate the breadth and depth of the U.S. plastics industry’s impact – both domestically and internationally. The industry not only provides over 1.7 million direct and supplier-supported jobs but also drives hundreds of thousands of additional positions through exports and related economic activity. States contribute in different ways, whether through production, strategic logistics or access to key export markets such as Mexico. Understanding these dynamics underscores the importance of supporting the plastics supply chain, trade policies that enable competitiveness, and investments that strengthen U.S. manufacturing for sustained employment and economic growth.”
Published April 2026
