US tells countries to reject UN ship fuel emissions deal or face tariffs

4/9/2025 6:20

The United States has told countries to reject a United Nations' marine fuel emissions-cutting deal or face tariffs, visa restrictions and port levies, U.S. and European officials and sources told Reuters.



The Trump administration is looking to boost U.S. economic might, including by taking a bigger role in global shipping, and has used tariffs as a weapon to extract better terms from Washington’s trade partners.



In April, countries struck a draft agreement through the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization (IMO) that would impose a fee on ships that breach global carbon emissions standards.



Washington pulled out of the talks in April leading up to the draft deal, and said in August it would retaliate against countries that supported the accord. It has argued the measures would place unnecessary burdens on the shipping industry, and would be of little help to reduce emissions.