✪ Trump Tells The United Nations & Their IMO Net Zero Fund To Get Lost

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he measure, known as the Net Zero Fund (NZF), would mark the first instance of a United Nations body imposing a worldwide fee on carbon emissions for a specific industry. Officials said the plan being proposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) would raise global shipping costs by as much as 10 percent and negatively impact U.S. workers, consumers and energy producers. The NZF proposal is backed by several European nations.

In a statement released by the Trump Administration:

“The United States will not accept any international environmental agreement that unfairly burdens the American people. We will not tolerate any action that increases costs for our citizens, energy providers, or shipping companies.”

As described by supporters and in summaries cited by the Associated Press, the plan would establish a minimum $100 fee for every ton of greenhouse gases emitted by ocean-going vessels above specified limits.

The IMO has estimated the taxation mechanism could raise between $11 billion and $13 billion per year; with proceeds directed to accelerating the development of new low-carbon marine fuels, providing incentives for “low-emission vessels,” and assisting developing countries in modernizing their fleets to meet future standards.

If approved, the fee would take effect in 2027, following a phase-in period and implementation steps overseen by the IMO’s member states.

The proposal is one of several items on the agenda as delegates consider pathways to meet previously adopted sector-wide climate emission goals for shipping.

Trump Administration officials criticized the initiative as an external & indirect imposition of climate policy through a United Nations forum.

They described the plan as “a neocolonial export of global climate regulations” and said the United States is prepared to respond with economic measures aimed at jurisdictions which vote in favor.

Potential actions under consideration include visa restrictions on certain maritime workers, additional domestic port fees, and sanctions on officials who promote what the statement called “activist-driven” climate policies.

Officials also noted possible limits on vessels registered in nations that support the NZF and the initiation of competition inquiries involving foreign shipping companies.

“The United States will fight to protect its economic interests,” the administration’s statement said, adding that other IMO members “should be on notice.”

U.S. officials said they plan to engage with partners on alternative approaches; which in their view, would reduce emissions without shifting costs onto American consumers or transferring revenues to international funds outside of domestic oversight.

The debate over the NZF is now taking place amid broader discussions about the shipping sector’s contribution to global emissions.

Estimates cited by industry groups and UN agencies place maritime shipping at roughly 3 percent of worldwide carbon emission totals, with projections varying depending on trade growth, fuel use, and technology adoption.

Proponents of a fee-based system argue that a price signal is necessary to accelerate investment in low-carbon fuels such as methanol and ammonia and to bridge the cost gaps relative to conventional marine fuels.

Critics contend that a global levy would raise freight costs across supply chains and could disproportionately impact developing economies and consumers in import-reliant markets.

Within the International Maritime Organization, member states regularly negotiate technical standards, efficiency measures, and timelines for adoption.

The NZF proposal would add a financial instrument to existing regulations, paired with a governance framework to allocate revenues for research, deployment, and assistance.

Details under discussion include the precise fee level, emissions thresholds, compliance verification, and how funds would be administered and distributed.

U.S. officials said they would continue to oppose measures they view as harmful to domestic economic interests while working with partners on more technology focused and market-driven solutions.

The administration has not released a separate U.S. alternative to the NZF but indicated it would back approaches which, in its assessment, preserve shipping competitiveness and avoid new costs for American producers and consumers.

The IMO’s member states are expected to take up the NZF item during next week’s session.

If the proposal does not secure sufficient support, delegates could refer it for additional study, amend its terms, or consider revised measures at a future meeting.

If it advances, the organization would begin drafting implementation rules, reporting requirements, and enforcement mechanisms ahead of the planned 2027 start date. ✪