US Push Against Global Plastics Treaty Sparks Controversy at U.N. Talks

At the U.N. talks in Geneva, the United States has urged countries to reject a global agreement intended to cap plastic production and regulate chemical additives, according to sources and documents obtained by Reuters. The move puts the U.S. at odds with over 100 countries advocating for measures to address plastic pollution.

Discussions have become increasingly fraught as significant splits emerge, notably between oil-producing nations opposing caps on virgin plastic fueled by fossil resources and entities like the European Union and small island states pushing for limits and enhanced hazardous chemical management. The U.S. delegation remains firm in its stance against upstream interventions.

Despite these tensions, the United States proposes revising the treaty's draft objective, removing language that addresses the full life cycle of plastics. This position aligns with global petrochemical industry interests and signals a retreat from previous commitments to address plastic pollution comprehensively.

(With inputs from agencies.)