Industry insiders and exhibitors at K 2025, the world's leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry in Dusseldorf, Germany, have voiced concerns that U.S. tariffs are bringing new uncertainties to the global plastics and rubber industry chain and disrupting the stable operation of its supply system.
The K trade fair, held from Oct 8 to 15 this year, is a triennial event regarded as a bellwether for the plastics and rubber industry.
Against the backdrop of U.S. tariffs, the issue of mounting trade barriers has become a topic of discussion at this year's edition. The organizers have expressed their hope to leverage the event as a platform for fostering international cooperation rather than creating obstacles.
"People come together to do open trade here, and we don't believe tariffs are good in any way, no matter where they are coming from," said Marius Berlemann, chief operating officer of Messe Dusseldorf GmbH, which organized the fair.
Several European exhibitors have noted that tariffs are significantly impacting supply chains, resulting in more volatile market demand and placing greater pressure on business operations.
"We clearly see it, of course, in our supply chain. So, the demand is less stable. It shows more peaks or valleys, or people stock or they digest the stock with all the announcements coming in and out. We see that with our customers. The impact is there and it's detrimental to the full industry, so some stability will be appreciated highly," said Monique Buch, a German exhibitor.
Many attendees believe that tariffs have caused businesses to lose their bearings, adding yet another layer of difficulty to already complex supply and logistics system.
"Tariffs (are) bringing uncertainty, bringing lack of visibility. And obviously, it's an obstacle to the business. We already have issues with supply chain and logistics. I think the more free the business is, the better it is for everybody. So, we are very concerned today with the development of this trade war, and we hope people will sit together and find solutions in order to let the business run properly," said Fabrice Guillermain, a French exhibitor.
Feedback from the event indicates widespread criticism of trade protectionism, with many participants believing that openness and cooperation remain crucial for the continuous innovation and global expansion of the rubber and plastics industry.
In the face of the ever-changing international trade landscape, industry insiders are calling on policymakers to create a more predictable environment for the global industrial chain to ensure that innovation and sustainable development are no longer constrained by political turbulence.
US tariffs cast shadow of uncertainty over global plastics, rubber industry: insiders
The Global Free Trade Ports Development Forum was held on Tuesday afternoon, focusing on new opportunities for Hainan's opening-up following the implementation of special customs operations.
The forum is one of Hainan's key thematic events under the plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026.
Co-hosted by the Boao Forum for Asia Secretariat and the Hainan Provincial People's Government, this was the first time the forum was held since Hainan's special customs operations began, allowing freer entry of overseas goods and expanding zero-tariff coverage.
Held under the theme "Free Trade Ports: Opportunities and Missions as Gateways for Opening-Up", it attracted participants from more than 20 countries and regions, including representatives from over 10 overseas free trade zones and ports.
Attendees included government officials, representatives from international organizations, leading experts and scholars, and executives from multinational companies.
George Yong-Boon Yeo, former Foreign Minister of Singapore, offered his own bold proposal that he said could facilitate the Hainan Free Trade Port's future development.
"Hainan should be able to develop its own free trade agreements, let us say, with Singapore in services and this will encourage movement between Singapore and Hainan, a little extended to other ASEAN countries as well. I think if we have the right conditions, business people will look for the opportunities," said the former official.
Against the backdrop of shifting global geopolitical dynamics and a push toward higher-standard opening-up, the forum focused on three key areas: the role and function of free trade ports as gateways for opening-up; the strategies and pathways to better fulfill this role amid a changing global landscape; and economic and trade cooperation, along with functional connectivity, among free trade ports.
"What's happening also with your port infrastructures and all the efforts that your regional government has been doing in the last year - so it was quite evident to us that in this decision to open ourselves to other places in the world, Hainan could be a nice opportunity to us. And this is why we are back," said Jaume Duch Guillot, regional minister for the European Union and External Action in Spain's Generalitat de Catalunya.
"I think it's so important that we do trade with each other that we integrate each other in each community, in society and economy. That's why I need to come here in order to get contacts, to bring my businesses to China, but also definitely to help Chinese businesses integrating themselves in the European part," said Holger Bingmann, Deputy Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce.
Hainan Province last year introduced an action plan to promote high-quality development of air logistics in the region, aiming to accelerate opening-up, expand global cargo networks, and enhance the Hainan Free Trade Port's role as an international air cargo hub.
The plan supports Hainan in developing "two bases" (one for Chinese enterprises expanding globally and another for foreign firms entering China), and "two hubs" (an international shipping hub for the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and a regional aviation gateway to the Pacific and Indian Oceans).
Cai Qiang, Secretary-General of the Hainan Provincial People's Government, said that the Hainan Free Trade Port will continue to play a key role in this regard.
"Hainan, in the current environment, as a landmark initiative to promote an open world economy and demonstrate China's commitment to further opening-up, will play a key role in the 'two hubs and two bases', and continue to push for high-standard opening-up," said Cai.
With the forum serving as a bridge and openness as a driving force, the Hainan Free Trade Port is aiming to accelerate its integration with the global economy.
Global forum on free trade ports explores new opportunities for Hainan's special customs
