Trump warns against UN maritime tax and threatens supporters with sanctions

The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) wants to introduce an environmental tax on shipping to encourage emissions reductions and make the sector climate neutral by 2050, Echo24 reports, citing the Wall Street Journal.

The levy would apply to ships over 5,000 tons and would amount to between $100 and $380 per ton of CO₂ emitted above a specified limit. The expected annual revenue of $10 to $12 billion would go into a special fund to promote innovation and support countries particularly affected by the consequences of climate change.

The US government under President Donald Trump rejects the proposal, calling it “global taxation without representation.” It is threatening countries that support the tax with sanctions, such as visa restrictions, higher port fees, or antitrust investigations.

The EU, China, the UK, and Japan, on the other hand, have spoken out in favor of the proposal. Brussels described it as an important step toward a cleaner shipping industry.

If the plan is accepted by two-thirds of the IMO member states, it will come into force after 18 months—unless a sufficiently large number of countries block it based on their fleet tonnage.

(lup)