The United States is leading international opposition to a global carbon tax plan, under a drive spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The proposal has drawn worldwide criticism for its from economic impacts and threats to national sovereignty.
The tax, called for by the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), would require major shipping companies to pay them fees for their carbon emissions beginning in 2027. The Trump administration will not allow the U.N. “to tax American companies or citizens for simply doing business,” Rubio vowed.
“The United States will not cede economic authority to an international body,” the Secretary of State said. “This so-called climate tax would raise energy, food, and fuel prices while enriching the U.N. bureaucracy.” He is urging other countries to join the U.S. in rejecting the plan to defend national sovereignty and economic independence.
Under the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, large oceangoing vessels would be forced to transition to low-emission fuels or face heavy penalties. Companies emitting beyond designated limits would pay between $100 and $380 per metric ton of carbon dioxide, depending on the ship’s size, efficiency, and type of fuel used. The framework would be legally binding for the IMO’s 176 member nations, including the United States, which has been a member since 1950.
The State Department last week threatened to impose port fees, trade restrictions, or sanctions on countries that adopt the measure. “We’re not going to allow unelected international bureaucrats to dictate America’s energy policy,” Rubio said.
According to the IMO, funds collected under the tax would support low-emission technologies, “just transition” projects in developing nations, and financial incentives for greener ships. Critics argue the plan amounts to a massive global redistribution scheme, with potential revenue estimated up to $12 billion annually, and warn it could disadvantage American companies in the global market.