The United States has warned that it will impose sanctions and other punitive measures on any country that votes in favor of a proposed global carbon tax on maritime transportation, a plan set to be considered by a United Nations agency.
In a joint statement released on Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, vowed that Washington would “fight hard to protect its economic interests” and “impose costs” on nations backing what it described as an unfair climate policy.
The statement comes ahead of a crucial vote by members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, where the adoption of the Net Zero Framework (NZF) agreement will be decided. The NZF seeks to cut global carbon emissions from shipping, one of the world’s most polluting industries.
Washington, however, dismissed the initiative as nothing more than “a global carbon tax on the world,” accusing its backers—mostly European nations—of trying to export their environmental policies through what it called “economic coercion.”
Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has shifted America’s stance on climate issues, calling global warming “a scam” and rolling back several regulations aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependence. His administration has instead emphasized energy independence and economic growth over international climate commitments.
According to the joint statement, the Trump administration “unequivocally rejects” the NZF proposal and will retaliate against any country that supports it. The possible measures include visa restrictions, bans on vessels from offending nations entering US ports, commercial penalties, and targeted sanctions against government officials involved.
“The United States will be moving to levy these remedies against nations that sponsor this European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations,” the statement read.
