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Eleven Republican state attorneys general, including Indiana’s Todd Rokita, have issued a joint letter urging the Biden Administration to delay any international agreements on plastic pollution until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The letter, addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Under Secretary Jose Fernandez, expresses concerns about the potential impact such agreements could have on American industry and state law.
The document highlights the group’s belief that the Biden Administration’s negotiations with the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution could impose significant legal and economic challenges, particularly for manufacturing states. The attorneys general argue that any binding international agreement should align with the policies of the incoming administration, rather than being shaped by "unelected global bureaucrats."
Protecting Local and National Interests
The letter emphasizes that the proposed agreement could negatively impact the plastics industry, which the Plastics Industry Association identifies as the eighth-largest manufacturing sector in the United States, supporting more than one million jobs. Rokita and his colleagues express concerns over potential conflicts between international obligations and state-level laws, noting that such agreements could harm industries and workers in their respective states.
The attorneys general also raise concerns about the speed of the negotiations, pointing out statements from environmental advocates suggesting a deliberate push to finalize agreements before the Trump Administration can intervene. “Americans will suffer if the Biden Administration fails to respect the election results and the rule of law,” the letter states, warning against what they see as rushed policymaking inconsistent with the interests of American citizens.
America First Policy
The coalition of attorneys general frames their opposition around a broader endorsement of the "America First" policy advanced by former President Trump, emphasizing the need to protect American jobs and sovereignty. The letter critiques previous international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as examples of global pacts they argue have undermined U.S. interests.
Todd Rokita, who has been a vocal supporter of limiting government overreach and prioritizing state sovereignty, aligns with the group’s position. Their letter calls for the Biden Administration to focus on America’s economic and political autonomy, resisting pressures from global organizations.
The Path Ahead
With the U.N. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution scheduled to continue discussions in South Korea, the future framework of international plastic waste management remains uncertain. The Attorneys General are urging officials to pause any binding commitments until the Trump Administration is fully in office and able to influence U.S. positions.
Read the Full Letter Here: