Trump admin will not comply with UN carbon tax on global shipping

Officials in the Trump administration said that the plan will drive up global shipping costs by as much as 10 percent and hurt US workers, consumers, and energy producers. “The United States will not accept any international environmental agreement that unfairly burdens the American people,” the administration said in a statement. “We will not tolerate any action that increases costs for our citizens, energy providers, or shipping companies.”

The proposal is backed by several European nations and would impose a minimum $100 fee for every ton of greenhouse gases emitted by ships over certain limits, according to the Associated Press. The IMO estimates that the fees could raise between $11 and $13 billion a year to fund new green shipping fuels, reward "low-emission vessels", and help developing countries upgrade their fleets.

The tax would take effect in 2027 if approved.

Administration officials called the initiative “a neocolonial export of global climate regulations” and said the US is prepared to respond with economic penalties against nations that support it. Potential actions include visa restrictions on maritime workers, new port fees, and sanctions on officials who promote what they described as “activist-driven” climate policies.

They also noted possible limits on ships registered in nations that vote for the NZF, as well as new investigations into anti-competitive practices by foreign shipping companies.

“The United States will fight to protect its economic interests,” the statement said, adding that other IMO members “should be on notice.”

The plan comes as global shipping emissions have grown to roughly 3 percent of total worldwide emissions, which has risen over the past decade.