The trump administration has issued a joint letter opposing the International Maritime Organisation's Net-Zero Framework, warning of retaliation against member states that support the climate strategy, reported London's Riviera Media.
US Secretaries of State, Commerce, Energy and Transportation described the IMO's emissions plan as a 'global carbon tax on Americans' that would 'conveniently benefit China'. The letter follows the US delegation's walkout from April's MEPC 83 meeting, where the framework was agreed in principle.
The Net-Zero Framework, set for adoption in October, includes mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing for ships. The US administration claims the plan unfairly targets American fuels and technologies, including LNG and biofuels, and would favour expensive alternatives not widely available.
Global Maritime Forum decarbonisation director Jesse Fahnestock rejected the claims, saying the framework does not mandate or exclude any specific fuels. He added that costs to US consumers would be comparable to other nations and that recent changes to the Inflation Reduction Act, not the IMO plan, had shifted fuel supply dynamics.
President Trump has frozen funding for IRA-backed renewables and prioritised fossil fuel development. The administration's letter warned IMO members to oppose the NZF or face consequences, stating it would 'explore remedies for our citizens' if the plan proceeds.
ING economist Rico Luman said the US stance threatens IMO's authority and could derail the framework's adoption. He noted the NZF's CO2-pricing mechanism is key to achieving net zero by 2050, and delay would hinder decarbonisation goals.
Mr Luman said enforcement of the framework from 2027 would apply globally, including US-bound voyages. He warned that US opposition could cause other countries to hesitate, risking the strategy's implementation and undermining progress on climate action.
SeaNews Turkey
US Secretaries of State, Commerce, Energy and Transportation described the IMO's emissions plan as a 'global carbon tax on Americans' that would 'conveniently benefit China'. The letter follows the US delegation's walkout from April's MEPC 83 meeting, where the framework was agreed in principle.
The Net-Zero Framework, set for adoption in October, includes mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing for ships. The US administration claims the plan unfairly targets American fuels and technologies, including LNG and biofuels, and would favour expensive alternatives not widely available.
Global Maritime Forum decarbonisation director Jesse Fahnestock rejected the claims, saying the framework does not mandate or exclude any specific fuels. He added that costs to US consumers would be comparable to other nations and that recent changes to the Inflation Reduction Act, not the IMO plan, had shifted fuel supply dynamics.
President Trump has frozen funding for IRA-backed renewables and prioritised fossil fuel development. The administration's letter warned IMO members to oppose the NZF or face consequences, stating it would 'explore remedies for our citizens' if the plan proceeds.
ING economist Rico Luman said the US stance threatens IMO's authority and could derail the framework's adoption. He noted the NZF's CO2-pricing mechanism is key to achieving net zero by 2050, and delay would hinder decarbonisation goals.
Mr Luman said enforcement of the framework from 2027 would apply globally, including US-bound voyages. He warned that US opposition could cause other countries to hesitate, risking the strategy's implementation and undermining progress on climate action.
SeaNews Turkey
