At the same time, they warn with specifically harsh economic and diplomatic measures against those states that vote in favor on Thursday, October 16th, of the Net Zero Framework. The roadmap that will determine the course for the decarbonization of shipping until 2050. These measures concern trade sanctions, new port fees, addressing unfair trade practices, and also sanctions against officials.
“The United States will move to impose these countermeasures against countries that support this ‘European-inspired neo-colonial export’ of global climate regulations. We will fight vigorously to protect our economic interests, imposing costs on countries that support the NZF. The rest of the IMO members must take this seriously into account,” stated in their joint declaration the US Secretary of State Marxo Rubio, the Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.
“President Trump has made it clear that the United States will not accept any international environmental agreement that unduly or unfairly burdens the country or harms the interests of the American people. Next week, IMO members will vote on adopting the so-called NZF, which aims to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions from the international shipping sector. This will be the first time a UN organization imposes a global carbon tax,” they characteristically note in their statement and add:
“The administration categorically 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 for tourists. The economic impacts of this measure could be devastating, as some estimates predict an increase in global transport costs of up to 10% or more. We call on everyone to reject the adoption of the NZF at the October meeting and to work together to protect our collective economic and energy security.”
According to the US, the NZF proposal carries serious risks for the global economy and subjects not only Americans, but all IMO member-states, to an unauthorized global tax regime that imposes punitive and regressive financial burdens, which could be avoided.
The United States is considering the following measures against countries that will support this global carbon tax at the expense of American consumers:
“Investigation and potential establishment of regulations to address unfair trade practices by certain flags and potential ban on entry of vessels with those flags into American ports;
Imposition of visa restrictions, including increased fees and processing time, mandatory re-interview /or review of quotas for /D type crew member visas;
Imposition of trade sanctions related to US government contracts, including for new commercial vessels, liquefied natural gas terminals and infrastructure, as well as other financial sanctions on vessels with flags of countries supporting the NZF;
Imposition of additional port fees on vessels owned, operated, or flagged by countries supporting the framework; and
Consideration of sanctions against officials who promote activist climate measures that burden American consumers, among other actions under study.”
The proposal that IMO member states will consider next week is the result of a compromise between the European Commission of the E.U. and China. A last-minute compromise which was presented at the last moment without being known in advance. Until then, the E.U. supported the proposal of the International Chamber of Shipping.
