The United States has threatened to impose sanctions and take other punitive measures against countries that support a proposed carbon tax on maritime transportation. The tax is part of the Net Zero Framework agreement, which aims to reduce global carbon emissions from the shipping sector, and is set to be voted on by members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) next week.
According to a joint statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his counterparts at the departments of energy and transportation, the US will “fight hard to protect our economic interests” by imposing costs on countries that back the proposal. The statement describes the carbon tax as a “global carbon tax on the world” and asserts that the US “unequivocally rejects” the Net Zero Framework.
The US has announced a range of potential punitive actions against countries that vote in favor of the framework, including visa restrictions, blocking vessels registered in those countries from US ports, and imposing commercial penalties. The US may also consider sanctions on officials from countries that support the proposal.
The threat comes as the US has reversed its course on climate change under President Donald Trump, who has encouraged fossil fuel use through deregulation. The Trump administration’s position on climate change has been a subject of controversy, with the US withdrawing from international climate agreements and rolling back domestic climate regulations.
The International Maritime Organization’s vote on the Net Zero Framework is significant, as it could lead to a global carbon tax on the shipping sector. The US is a major player in global trade and its opposition to the proposal could have significant implications for the implementation of the agreement. The outcome of the vote will be closely watched, as it could impact the global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
The US has stated that it will “move to levy these remedies against nations that sponsor this European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations.” The statement reflects the US’s strong opposition to the proposal and its willingness to take measures to protect its economic interests. The vote on the Net Zero Framework is expected to take place next week, and the outcome will have significant implications for the global shipping sector and international efforts to address climate change.