The United States warned it may impose sanctions and other punitive measures on any country that supports a carbon tax on maritime transport, proposed under the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO).
In a joint statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Washington “unequivocally rejects” the Net Zero Framework (NZF), describing it as a “global carbon tax on the world.” The IMO, headquartered in London, is set to vote next week on the NZF, aimed at reducing carbon emissions from the shipping sector.
The statement warned that nations backing the framework could face visa restrictions, commercial penalties, blocked access for their vessels at US ports, and potential sanctions on officials. Washington framed the proposal as a “European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations.”
Since returning to power in January, President Donald Trump has rolled back climate policies, promoting fossil fuel use and dismissing global climate initiatives as a “scam.” |
