Sept 4 (Reuters) - ExxonMobil ( XOM ) is seeking to

offload its European chemical plants in the UK and Belgium as

the sector reels from the impact of U.S. tariffs and competition

from China, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing

people familiar with the matter.

The U.S. energy producer has held early-stage discussions

with advisers in recent weeks on possible sales, which could

fetch up to $1 billion, the newspaper said.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Exxon did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for

comment outside regular business hours.