Drooid Logo
Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

China imports record US ethane as Trump visits

5/16/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

1 of 1

Story summary
  • China imported a record one million metric tons of U.S. ethane in April 2026 after Middle-East disruptions.
  • Satellite Chemical, Wanhua Chemical and SP Chemical bought the cargo, driving crackers to capacity and lifting ethylene margins to $845 per ton.
  • May imports will fall to about 414,000 tons—a 41 % decline as demand weakens—while U.S. President Donald Trump began a visit to China on May 13, 2026, his first since November 2017.