Donald Trump wants countries to reject UN plastic treaty

11-Aug-2025

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The United States has sent letters to at least a handful of countries urging them to reject the goal of a global pact that includes limits on plastic production and plastic chemical additives at the start of U.N. plastic treaty talks in Geneva, according to a memo and communications seen by Reuters.

In the communications dated July 25 and circulated to countries at the start of negotiations on August 11, the U.S. laid out its red lines for negotiations that put it in direct opposition to over 100 countries that have supported those measures.

Hopes for a "last-chance" ambitious global treaty that tackles the full lifecycle of plastic pollution from the production of polymers to the disposal of waste have dimmed as delegates gathered for what was intended to be the final round of negotiations.