The United States Department of State declares a new trade war on all countries that vote in favor of the new Net Zero Framework (read the latest Port News in-depth analysis on the topic here), the new package of measures presented in April which is to be formally adopted this week in the extraordinary session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO.
The White House does not like the regulatory framework because it introduces for the first time a global carbon tax, with an economic impact that according to the Trump administration could be disastrous. Initial estimates predict an increase in maritime transport costs of up to 10% or more.
In a press release, the USA states that it will not accept any international environmental agreement that unduly or unjustly burdens the United States or harms the interests of the American people.
“The NZF proposal poses significant risks to the global economy and subjects not only Americans, but all IMO member states, to an unsanctioned global tax regime that imposes punitive and regressive financial sanctions, which could be avoided,” the US administration informs, threatening to escalate the confrontation against anyone who votes in favor of the NZF.
Among the measures under consideration is that of blocking access to US ports for all ships registered in countries that support the new net-zero framework, or that of imposing commercial sanctions stemming from existing contracts between these countries and the US government, including new commercial ships, terminals, and liquefied natural gas infrastructure.
The possibility of imposing additional port taxes on ships owned, managed, or flying the flag of countries that support the framework is foreseen; and that of assessing sanctions on officials who sponsor climate policies promoted by activists that could burden American consumers.
“If actually implemented, some of these measures could have disruptive effects on US supply chains,” states the CEO of Vespucci Maritime, Lars Jersen, in a linkedin post, according to whom the imposition of taxes or restrictions on ships or shipping will do nothing but increase the cost of shipments to and from the United States, and thus place the financial cost on US exporters and importers.
According to the expert analyst, by doing so the USA is behaving like the person who decides to cut off their nose to spite their face.
