The International Maritime Organization, a United Nations body, is hitting the brakes on a proposed global carbon tax on international shipping that’s been strongly opposed by the United States. On October 17, member states were all set to give the thumbs up to the proposal, but Saudi Arabia threw a wrench in the works by tabling a motion to delay the vote by a year. The motion sailed through with 57 votes in favour and 49 against, effectively putting the proposal on ice.

UN Overreach: The So-Called “Global Carbon Tax” on Shipping

We’ve seen my share of bureaucratic schemes dressed up as “global good.” This one from the United Nations—through its International Maritime Organization (IMO)—is a prime example: a proposed carbon levy on international shipping that’s been hyped as a climate saviour but reeks of unchecked globalism and economic sabotage. Dubbed the “Net-Zero Framework” (NZF), this isn’t some benign nudge toward efficiency; it’s a de facto global tax that threatens to siphon billions from free enterprise, erode national sovereignty, and inflate costs for everyday consumers.

The Origins: A UN Power Grab Masquerading as Environmentalism

The IMO, a UN agency overseeing global shipping, has been pushing this framework since at least 2023 as part of the Paris Agreement’s fallout. The NZF aims to slash shipping emissions—responsible for about 3% of global CO2—by imposing a “marine fuel standard” that caps allowable greenhouse gases over time. At its core, it’s not voluntary; it’s a mandatory levy on fuel use, projected to generate up to $200 billion annually by 2030, funnelled into UN-controlled “climate funds” for redistribution.  Proponents claim it’s “equitable,” with revenues supposedly aiding developing nations, but let’s call it what it is: a wealth transfer from productive economies like the U.S. to unaccountable international bureaucrats. This isn’t the UN’s first rodeo. They’ve long championed carbon pricing mechanisms, from cap-and-trade to outright taxes, under the UNFCCC banner. But the shipping levy marks a dangerous escalation—the first truly global enforcement tool, bypassing national legislatures. It’s the camel’s nose under the tent for broader taxes on aviation, manufacturing, and beyond.

So, what’s the big deal about this proposed framework? It would require large oceangoing vessels to comply with a global fuel standard, all in an effort to reduce made up greenhouse gas emissions from the global shipping industry to net zero by 2050. The United States, the world’s largest oil producer, is vehemently opposed to the plan, with President Donald Trump making it clear that the US won’t support a carbon tax on global shipping in any way, shape, or form.

How the “Tax” Would Work: A Hidden Surcharge on Global Trade

Mechanically, the NZF would require ship operators to buy credits for every ton of CO2 emitted above a shrinking threshold, starting around 2027 if implemented. Fuel prices would spike—estimates peg an initial 20-40% hike per barrel of marine fuel—passed straight to importers, exporters, and consumers. For context, shipping hauls 90% of world trade; this isn’t abstract—it’s your grocery bill, car parts, and holiday gifts getting pricier overnight. Revenues? Not for innovation or refunds, but a UN slush fund. No audits, no transparency—just faith in Geneva’s goodwill. This is fiscal insanity: layering a volatile, politically manipulated tax atop already strained supply chains, with zero regard for market signals.

Economic Dangers: Inflating Costs and Crushing Competitiveness

Here’s where it bites hardest. Global shipping costs could balloon by $50-150 billion yearly, per industry models, hitting U.S. exporters like farmers and manufacturers square in the wallet. Inflation? Baked in—think 1-2% added to CPI from higher import prices alone. Small businesses, already reeling from post-pandemic regression, get no break; giants like Maersk might absorb some, but the pain trickles down. Worse, it’s a competitiveness killer. China, with its state-subsidized fleet, skirts the edges via “developing nation” loopholes, while American firms—bound by stricter rules—lose market share. This isn’t free trade; it’s managed decline. And don’t get me started on energy security: jacking fuel costs accelerates the rush to unreliable “green” alternatives, risking blackouts and shortages in an already fragile grid.

Sovereignty and Liberty Threats: Taxation Without Representation

Forget the dollars for a moment—this is about power. The IMO’s levy would impose fines and port bans on non-compliant ships, enforceable via international law, without a single vote. It’s taxation without representation; UN mandarins deciding global tax policy. This as the slippery slope to a world government, where climate hysteria justifies endless interventions—from digital IDs to resource rationing. Once the precedent’s set, it’s game over. Next up? A “global wealth tax” or aviation levy. This erodes the very sovereignty that built prosperous nations, replacing it with top-down control that punishes innovation and rewards compliance.

Climate Alarmism Exposed: Junk Science Driving Junk Policy

The climate change narrative is false, a hoax and it’s overhyped, with models that flop harder than a bad hedge fund bet. Shipping’s 3% emissions slice? Negligible against natural variability, yet it justifies this leviathan. The UN’s own data shows adaptation (better tech, efficient routes) cuts emissions 50% cheaper than taxes, without the bureaucracy.  This proposal isn’t about the planet; it’s virtue-signaling for elites who jet to Davos while lecturing the rest of us on footprints. Diverting capital to UN funds starves real investments—like nuclear or market-driven R&D—in favor of cronies and green grifts. It’s malinvestment on a global scale, echoing the Solyndra debacle but with trillions at stake.

The Pushback: A Win for Sanity (For Now)

Credit where due: the Trump administration’s fierce lobbying torpedoed the vote, delaying it a full year to 2026. House Republicans are piling on with the UNTAXED Act, mandating Senate approval for any UN tax and slashing funding to rogue agencies.

 It’s a reminder: sovereignty isn’t negotiable. Trump took to Truth Social on October 16 to express his outrage over the proposed carbon tax, calling on others to reject the plan, saying, “We won’t tolerate increased prices on American consumers or the creation of a Green New Scam Bureaucracy to spend your money on their Green dreams”. The US government is also weighing possible actions against nations that support the IMO proposal, including blocking vessels registered under those countries from entering US ports, imposing visa restrictions on maritime crews, and slapping commercial penalties on ships flagged under nations backing the net-zero regulations. The International Maritime Organization said that the framework, which was set to take effect in 2027 if adopted, would be a game-changer, combining mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing across an entire industry sector. But the US is having none of it, with top officials like State Secretary Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy making it clear that the US will not support any international agreement that harms the interests of the American people.

In a joint statement on October 10, these officials said that the proposal would have disastrous economic impacts, with global shipping costs potentially increasing by as much as 10% or more. They’re drawing a line in the sand, making it clear that the US will not tolerate any action that increases costs for American citizens, energy providers, shipping companies, and their customers. The battle lines are drawn, and it’s clear that the US is ready to take on the International Maritime Organization over this proposed global carbon tax. So, what about your country and its leadership?

But delays aren’t defeats. The IMO’s still scheming, and with Biden-era holdovers in the mix, revival looms. Vigilance is key. reject this globalist Trojan horse.

Written By Tatenda Belle Panashe