Today, the U.S. and China announced that they are reducing tariff rates on imports. The U.S. dropped the rate on imports of Chinese goods from 145% to 30%. China also dropped its tariff on U.S. imports from 125% to 10%. These changes are in effect for 90 days as talks between the two countries continue. The tariffs reached their previous highs after several weeks of tit-for-tat increases. President Trump initially announced a 10% tariff on imported Chinese goods on February 1, which increased to reach the previous levels by April 11.
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- Blog
Bad Blood - Burgeoning U.S.-China Trade War Has Potential to Devastate Propane, Ethane Markets
Starting on April 10, China will enact an 84% reciprocal tariff on imports of U.S. goods. This increase was in response to the 104% tariff that the U.S. placed on imports of Chinese goods, which was subsequently raised to 125% by President Trump on April 9. China is likely to retaliate further. Unlike China’s February retaliatory tariffs of 10%-15% on U.S. oil and LNG, this time NGLs and all energy products are included. These higher tariffs have the potential to destroy propane and ethane exports from the U.S. In today’s RBN blog, we look at the potential impact of China’s reciprocal tariffs on the propane and ethane markets.
- Blog
Under the Pressure - U.S. Energy Industry Dodges a Bullet as New Fees Target Chinese Shipping
The U.S. government recently released the final rules for the Section 301 fees proposed earlier this year, intended to address the dominance of China’s shipbuilding industry. According to the new rules, exports on Chinese-owned, -operated or -built vessels are mostly excluded — great news for U.S. energy producers and exporters, especially in the NGL sector. In addition, things are starting to change in the LPG markets due to the U.S./China tariff war. Propane vessels are being diverted, at least one ethane cargo has been scrapped, and China is reportedly looking into exempting ethane from its 125% import tariff. In today’s RBN blog, we look at what the latest developments mean for the U.S. energy industry.
- Blog
Masters of War - Lingering Threat of Major Trade War Still Spooks U.S. Oil and Gas Exports
The trade war between the U.S. and China continues to intensify — and now the rhetoric is shifting from steel and soybeans to oil and gas. What started as just an exchange of escalating bluster has developed into real tariffs that will be enacted beginning August 23 — which will include petroleum-based products like LPG and refined products. The commodities that would have the biggest impacts on global trade flows, liquefied natural gas and crude oil, were under tariff threat as well. LNG is still on a list of potential commodities to receive tariffs in the future, while crude has since been removed. But, keep in mind that today’s state of affairs could change tomorrow, so tariffs on those two commodities should be considered very much on the table. Today, we examine the potential trade war fallout for growing exports of U.S. LNG and crude oil.
