The United States has urged countries to reject a United Nations agreement aimed at cutting shipping fuel emissions, warning that failure to do so could result in tariffs, visa restrictions, and port fees, according to U.S. and European officials cited by Reuters.
The move comes as the Trump administration scales back several environmental and climate policies, instead prioritizing U.S. economic strength and a larger role in global shipping.
In April, member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency, reached a draft agreement that would impose fees on vessels violating global carbon emissions standards. Washington withdrew from the negotiations leading up to the draft and announced in August that it would retaliate against states supporting the framework.
The U.S. argues that the proposed measures would place unnecessary burdens on the shipping sector while contributing little to emissions reduction.
In recent days, the U.S. State Department has contacted other IMO members, warning them against endorsing the so-called “net-zero framework,” according to four sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed that the U.S. is “actively exploring and preparing measures, including tariffs, visa restrictions, or port fees,” should the initiative move forward during the IMO’s extraordinary session in October. The spokesperson also noted that Washington is engaging with “partners and allies” to encourage similar responses but declined to comment on the details of private diplomatic exchanges.
The Dutch government confirmed it had received a verbal warning from U.S. officials suggesting that the Netherlands could face retaliatory tariffs or other measures if it supported the adoption of the framework. It remains unclear which other IMO member states were contacted.
Headquartered in London and comprising 176 member states, the IMO is responsible for regulating international shipping safety, security, and pollution. Maritime transport accounts for roughly 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The proposed framework is designed to accelerate decarbonization in a sector that handles about 90% of world trade and where emissions are projected to rise sharply without a binding global mechanism.
An IMO spokesperson said the upcoming October session would provide the appropriate platform for members to address any concerns before adoption.
The draft agreement was initially approved in April with the support of 63 countries, while 16 voted against and 24 abstained. Final approval requires a majority vote. However, sources noted that the outcome remains uncertain as U.S. pressure and tariff threats could sway additional states to abstain.
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