Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ripped a proposed global carbon tax on maritime emissions, comparing the UN-backed measure to the oppressive taxes imposed by Great Britain that sparked the American Revolution.
His comments come as the Trump administration takes a hardline stance against the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) upcoming vote, threatening severe economic retaliation against nations that support the tax.
“No taxation without representation,” DeSantis declared on Tuesday. “Being taxed by the UN would be far more offensive than the taxes imposed by Great Britain against the American colonies more than 250 years ago. Those taxes sparked the American Revolution.” The Governor went on to call for the UN to be defunded, stating it should not be “seeded with new tax revenue.”
The tax proposal, known as the Net-Zero Fund (NZF), aims to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions from international shipping but is unequivocally rejected by the United States.
RELATED: U.S. Rejects United Nations Global Shipping Carbon Tax Ahead Of Vote, Threatens Retaliation
Sovereignty and Economic Threat
The administration’s fierce opposition was championed by Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and shipping executive Daniel Blazer. The pair published an op-ed in RealClearWorld urging the administration to reject the proposal, which they framed as a test of “leadership and resolve.”
Buchanan and Blazer warned that accepting the “unaccountable global tax” would “open the door to further encroachments on our sovereignty and weaken our ability to compete with China.” They argue the NZF’s carbon pricing framework would disproportionately benefit China, the world’s largest shipbuilder, by incentivizing the premature retirement of seaworthy ships and driving demand for new construction.
The administration views the measure as a critical threat to American economic interests, asserting that the tax could be “disastrous,” with some estimates forecasting global shipping costs increasing by 10% or more, ultimately burdening U.S. citizens and businesses.
Threat of Retaliation against IMO Members
The IMO Council advanced the framework in April, and members are scheduled to vote on the final adoption of the NZF next week. The administration explicitly stated it “will not tolerate any action that increases costs for our citizens” and is considering a range of retaliatory actions against nations that support the “European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations.”
Potential measures under consideration against nations that support the NZF include:
- Port Restrictions: Blocking vessels from supporting nations from U.S. ports.
- Commercial Penalties: Imposing financial penalties stemming from U.S. government contracts.
- Visa Restrictions: Imposing increased fees and revised quotas for C-1/D maritime crew member visas.
- Additional Fees: Imposing new port fees on ships owned, operated, or flagged by countries supporting the framework.
- Sanctions: Evaluating sanctions on officials sponsoring activist-driven climate policies.
The administration’s firm declaration leaves IMO members “on notice” that supporting the NZF will come at a direct cost to their economic relationship with the United States.
READ: Trump Officials Accuse China Of Trade Violation, Warn ‘They Can’t Be Trusted’ In Rare Earths Dispute
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