An Open Letter to the Incoming Trump Administration

November 6, 2024

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the specialty chemical manufacturing industry stands ready to support and drive the nation’s economic renewal. Our sector brings critical capabilities to the table: rapid production, advanced innovation, and the agility to meet emerging national needs. We view this moment as a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to strengthening U.S. manufacturing and securing resilient domestic supply chains.

The specialty chemical industry is well-positioned to help the administration achieve high-priority goals. Our industry’s capacity for contract and custom manufacturing means we’re ready to reshore production immediately, without the delays associated with lengthy permitting processes or major capital investments.

The administration’s focus on onshoring and nearshoring—initiatives spurred by pandemic-related disruptions—underscores the importance of a secure domestic supply chain. By locating operations closer to North American consumers, we reduce dependence on foreign suppliers while fostering job creation, sustainability, and economic growth within our borders.

The administration’s commitment to repatriating essential manufacturing, especially for chemicals crucial to national security, will be vital to strengthening the U.S. industrial base. Initiatives from the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and other agencies to support domestic production of critical materials reflect a shared commitment to bolstering infrastructure for essential supplies and enhancing our competitive edge.

To fully unlock the specialty chemical industry’s growth potential, we urge the administration to prioritize policies that encourage advancement, streamline regulatory processes, and incentivize domestic manufacturing. A predictable regulatory environment empowers companies to invest strategically and respond quickly to market demands.

SOCMA urges the Trump administration to:

  • Streamline the EPA’s New Chemicals Review Process to unlock new chemistries that drive advanced manufacturing and fuel cutting-edge products.
  • Open tariff exclusion processes for inputs and raw materials not available in the U.S. to ensure American manufacturers remain globally competitive.
  • Reinstate the R&D Tax Credit to apply in the tax year of the expenditure, bolstering incentives for innovation.
  • Support reauthorization of the CFATS program, affirming that regulatory authority resides with the Department of Homeland Security.

The specialty chemical industry stands ready to collaborate with the Trump administration to build a stronger, more competitive, resilient future for the U.S. specialty chemical sector. 

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