The United States government has announced its opposition to a proposed global carbon tax being considered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency. The proposal, known as the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the international shipping sector and would represent the first global carbon tax imposed by a UN organization.
In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Energy Wright, and Secretary of Transportation Duffy expressed concern about the economic consequences of the NZF. They stated, "President Trump has made it clear that the United States will not accept any international environmental agreement that unduly or unfairly burdens the United States or harms the interests of the American people. Next week, members of the IMO will vote on the adoption of a so-called NZF aimed at reducing global carbon dioxide gas emissions from the international shipping sector. This will be the first time that a UN organization levies a global carbon tax on the world."
The statement continued, "The Administration unequivocally rejects this proposal before the IMO and will not tolerate any action that increases costs for our citizens, energy providers, shipping companies and their customers, or tourists. The economic impacts from this measure could be disastrous, with some estimates forecasting global shipping costs increasing as much as 10% or more. We ask you to join us in rejecting adoption of the NZF at the October meeting and to work together on our collective economic and energy security."
The officials also warned about broader implications for all IMO member states. "The NZF proposal poses significant risks to the global economy and subjects not just Americans, but all IMO member states to an unsanctioned global tax regime that levies punitive and regressive financial penalties, which could be avoided," they said.
The United States is considering several measures in response to countries that support the NZF. These include investigations into anti-competitive practices and potential regulations targeting flagged countries; blocking vessels registered in those countries from U.S. ports; imposing visa restrictions and changes to maritime crew visa requirements; applying commercial penalties related to government contracts and infrastructure projects; adding port fees for ships owned or operated by supporting nations; and evaluating sanctions on officials advocating for climate policies seen as detrimental to American consumers.
"The United States will be moving to levy these remedies against nations that sponsor this European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations. We will fight hard to protect our economic interests by imposing costs on countries if they support the NZF. Our fellow IMO members should be on notice," the statement concluded.
The proposed NZF comes at a time when international efforts to address climate change are increasingly focused on reducing emissions from sectors such as shipping, which account for a significant portion of global greenhouse gases.
