The United States has blocked the adoption of a global carbon fee on shipping emissions at an international meeting in London, delaying new regulations aimed at reducing pollution from the maritime sector. The decision came after pressure from President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia, and several other countries, leading delegates at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to postpone the vote for a year.
Earlier this year, major maritime nations had agreed on regulations that would have imposed a fee on carbon pollution from shipping. The regulations, known as the “Net-Zero Framework,” were expected to be formally adopted at this week’s IMO meeting. However, following threats from the U.S. administration, including possible tariffs, visa restrictions, and port levies, more than half of the participating countries voted to adjourn the meeting and continue negotiations.
The move highlights the global influence of President Trump, who has publicly dismissed climate change as a “con job.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the outcome “another huge win” for Trump, stating, “Thanks to his leadership, the United States prevented a massive U.N. tax hike on American consumers that would have funded progressive climate pet projects. Our country will continue to lead the way and put America FIRST.”
Trump had urged countries to reject the proposal, posting on his social media platform that “the United States will not stand for this global green new scam tax on shipping.”
Saudi Arabia, which has also opposed global emissions regulations, called for the vote to adjourn. The IMO’s secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez, commented after the meeting that “geopolitics in the world right now makes it more difficult for us to make progress in certain topics.”
Environmental groups and some government officials expressed disappointment at the outcome. Emma Fenton, senior director for climate diplomacy at Opportunity Green, said, “Faced with pressure, too many governments chose political compromise over climate justice, and in doing so, abandoned the countries bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.”
Ralph Regenvanu, minister for climate change for Vanuatu, criticized the IMO’s failure to adopt the framework, saying, “The IMO’s failure to adopt the framework this week marks a failure of this United Nations agency to act decisively on climate change. But we know that we have international law on our side and will continue to fight for our people and the planet.”
The shipping industry accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Most ships operate on heavy fuel oil, which releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. The International Chamber of Shipping, representing over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet, supported the proposed regulations. Thomas Kazakos, the chamber’s secretary-general, noted that the industry needs regulatory clarity to invest in decarbonization.
Alison Shaw, IMO Manager at Transport & Environment, commented, “The delay leaves the shipping sector drifting in uncertainty. But this week has also shown that there is a clear desire to clean up the shipping industry, even in the face of U.S. bullying.”
The IMO has set a target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by around 2050 and aims to increase the use of zero or near-zero emission fuels. Anaïs Rios, shipping policy officer for Seas At Risk, said, “What matters now is that countries rise up and come back to the IMO with a louder and more confident yes vote that cannot be silenced. The planet and the future of shipping does not have time to waste.”
