Listen to Victoria and Chris’ WPC Conversation Here:
Trade uncertainty, regulatory hurdles, and rail consolidation are reshaping the U.S. chemical sector’s path to competitiveness. Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, sits down with host Victoria Meyer to break down how shifting tariff policies, global supply chain complexity, and potential rail mergers are influencing costs, innovation, and industry alignment.
- In-Person connections drive industry alignment
- Trade policy uncertainty impacts U.S. competitiveness
- Rail mergers threaten costs and agility
- TSCA delays hinder U.S. chemical innovation
- Leadership Focus: Prioritizing through industry complexity
Killer Quote: “If you’re waiting for all the information to be certain that you’re right, you’re never going to move quickly enough because that uncertainty is never going to go away. So you have to make the best decision you can with the information you have and then have the agility to pivot and move as you need to going forward.” – Chris Jahn
Watch This Episode with Chris Jahn on Youtube Here:
How Policy Impacts Competitiveness with Chris Jahn of American Chemistry Council
From shifting global trade routes to domestic regulatory hurdles, the U.S. chemical industry faces a landscape loaded with complexity. In a recent episode of The Chemical Show, Victoria sat down with Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), to discuss the industry’s pressing challenges and the leadership strategies required to move forward. This blog takes a deeper look at the topics covered, including trade and tariffs, the impact of rail consolidation, regulatory bottlenecks, and effective advocacy in a fast-changing environment.
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The Value of In-Person Connection
Despite the growth of virtual interactions, face-to-face meetings retain critical importance for chemical industry professionals. As Chris explained, the foundation of progress in this business is strong relationships, which are best built in person. Whether at the World Petrochemical Conference (WPC) or ACC’s own events, these gatherings create an environment where executives can connect, share ideas, and align on complex issues.
In the words of Chris, “Meeting the first time and trying to make that sale is really tough. But if you’re leveraging a long-term relationship, that’s a completely different conversation.” Relationships not only grease the wheels for business deals but are also a cornerstone for building industry alignment, which is critical when it comes to responding to regulatory and policy matters.
Trade Policy: Uncertainty, Complexity, and Adversity
Trade policy is top of mind for chemical companies as uncertainty grows around tariffs and global supply chains. Chris outlined three main challenges:
- Uncertainty: The rapidly changing landscape of tariffs, with new actions and reversals from the administration, leaves the industry unsure of what comes next.
- Complexity: The chemical supply chain involves thousands of products and a $30 billion trade surplus, yet many key inputs are not produced domestically and rely on foreign sources.
- Adversity: Global overcapacity, especially from non-market economies, needs to be addressed with targeted strategies rather than broad-brush protectionism.
For Chris and ACC, the solution lies in strategic advocacy—ensuring that policies specifically address the needs and realities of the chemical sector, balancing access to essential inputs with protections against unfair trading practices.
Rail Consolidation: Implications for Competition and Costs
Rail remains the safest and most practical way to transport chemicals in the U.S., but increasing industry concentration poses risks. Three out of four ACC members are “captive shippers,” relying on just one rail line to move their products. The proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger could further reduce options, raising costs and undermining competitiveness throughout the supply chain. Chris warned that fewer railroads means less fluidity, higher shipping expenses, and eventually, higher prices for American consumers all during a period when affordability is a key political and economic issue.
Regulatory Hurdles: The Case for TSCA Reform
Regulation is another area where complexity can become paralyzing. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) directs how new chemicals are approved in the U.S., but according to Chris, the process is much slower than in Europe or Asia. Although legally required to make decisions on new molecules within 90 days, the U.S. EPA often takes over a year and sometimes as long as five years for some innovations.
This lag pushes chemical producers to launch new products overseas, undermining U.S. competitiveness and job creation. Pending legislation aims to put a “shot clock” on approvals and drive greater transparency, ensuring decisions are timely and predictable.
Effective Advocacy in a Complex Environment
Advocacy today still boils down to results—shaping regulations and policies to ensure the industry’s continued growth. But effective advocacy now demands an approach grounded in science, data, and education. Chris highlighted the need to inform policymakers about real-world chemical manufacturing practices, not just theory or perception. ACC, for example, hosts agency staff on plant tours to demonstrate commitment to safety and environmental protection.
Being “solutions oriented” means working alongside regulators, not just arguing against policy, but also providing workable alternatives and highlighting unintended consequences before they occur.
Leadership Lessons for Uncertainty
Leading through complexity requires prioritization and adaptability. Chris, reflecting on his role at ACC, emphasized the importance of keeping the main thing as the main thing: focus on what truly moves the needle for members and the industry at large. It’s equally essential to be agile, making decisions with the information available rather than waiting for total certainty, which rarely arrives.
What’s Next for the Industry
Looking ahead, Chris pinpointed competitiveness as the central focus. That means strong advocacy around regulation, trade, energy (especially as energy demand is set to triple by 2050), and permitting reform. With targeted policies and proactive engagement, the U.S. can continue to be the best place in the world to make chemicals—if the industry, regulators, and policymakers work together.
The conversation between Victoria and Chris underscores how the future of chemistry depends not just on technical expertise, but on leadership, collaboration, and advocacy that match the complexity of our times.
About Chris Jahn:
Chris Jahn, ACC President & CEO
As President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), Chris is responsible for advancing ACC’s mission to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing.
Chris has been named by The Hill as one of Washington, DC’s “Top Lobbyists” and by the Washingtonian as one of DC’s “Most Influential People” for representing the U.S. business of chemistry and its customers within the halls of Congress.
Prior to joining ACC in 2019, Chris served as President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, president of the National Association of Chemical Distributors, and president of the Contract Services Association. He began his career on Capitol Hill, including time as chief of staff to U.S. Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY).
Chris earned an MBA from the University of Maryland and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University in New York.