Much Ado About Nothing: U.S. Ethane Exports to China Fully Resume

MDN recently brought you the news that the Trump administration was blocking cargoes of ethane to China (see U.S. Denies Permit for Enterprise to Export Ethane Cargoes to China). Ethane is a raw feedstock used to create plastics. Denying China access to our ethane hurts the Chinese economy. We later reported that the export ban to China was just a bargaining position and had been lifted (see Trump Trade Deal Lifts Ethane Export Ban to China; Cargo to India). However, in another twist to this saga, the Trump administration informed Enterprise Products and Energy Transfer (the two companies exporting ethane to China) that they could load the ethane and ship it. However, before unloading, they will still need U.S. government permission (see Trump Admin Sends Mixed Signals on Ethane Exports to China). The mixed signals are once again clear.

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