U.S. Threatens Retaliatory Sanctions Over Proposed International Shipping Carbon Tax
LONDON – The United states has warned it will impose sanctions, perhaps including visa restrictions and additional port fees, on nations that approve a new carbon tax targeting international maritime shipping. The threat comes as members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), based in London, prepare to vote next week on a “NZF” agreement designed to curb carbon dioxide emissions from the global shipping sector.
The looming vote represents a pivotal moment in international climate policy, as the proposed agreement would mark the first time a United Nations organization has levied a global carbon tax on such a scale.Washington has vehemently rejected the proposal, citing potential economic damage to American businesses and consumers. According to a recent press release, the U.S. “will not tolerate any measures likely to increase costs for our citizens, our energy suppliers, our shipping companies and their customers, or our tourists.”
The U.S. government estimates the carbon tax could inflate global shipping costs by as much as 10% or more,triggering what officials describe as “disastrous” economic repercussions. The stance reflects a broader shift in U.S. climate policy since President Donald Trump’s return to office. Trump has consistently denounced international climate agreements, including the 2015 Paris Agreement aimed at limiting global warming to +1.5°C, and has actively promoted deregulation to support fossil fuel industries.
At the United Nations, Trump has dismissed scientific consensus on climate change, labeling it “the biggest scam” in history. The threatened sanctions would target countries supporting the carbon tax, potentially impacting vessels owned, operated, or flagged within those nations. The IMO vote next week will determine whether the proposed carbon tax moves forward,and whether the U.S. will follow through on its pledge of retaliatory measures, escalating tensions over international climate policy.
