Climate: No global agreement on ship decarbonization — the U.S. rejoices

Sunday 19 October 2025 - 07:30

By: Sahili Aya

Climate: No global agreement on ship decarbonization — the U.S. rejoices

Under U.S. pressure, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has postponed by one year the adoption of the first global plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The delay — reached after a week of tense negotiations in London — represents a major setback for global climate diplomacy and a clear victory for Donald Trump’s administration.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed frustration at the outcome, stating:

“I don’t have much to tell you right now. This doesn’t happen often.”

The postponed agreement was designed to make the maritime sector — responsible for about 3% of global CO₂ emissions — gradually reduce its carbon footprint starting in 2028, with the goal of reaching net zero by 2050. The plan included a carbon pricing mechanism beyond a certain threshold, with revenues intended to feed an international fund supporting climate-vulnerable nations and rewarding cleaner ships.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the decision as “a huge victory” for President Trump, crediting him with blocking “a massive UN tax increase on American consumers.” On the social network X, Rubio said Trump had “stopped the financing of progressive climate projects disguised as a global shipping tax.”

On Truth Social, Trump called the deal a “global green scam,” declaring:

“The United States will NOT tolerate this shipping tax and will not comply in any way. My administration will not allow higher prices for American consumers or a green bureaucracy spending YOUR money on their eco dreams.”

The proposal, supported by the European Union, China, Brazil, and Pacific island nations, was blocked by a coalition of the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. Washington allegedly threatened several supportive delegations with visa restrictions, trade sanctions, and increased port fees.

In a plenary statement, Brazil’s representative denounced these American “tactics,” expressing hope that “such pressure will not replace the usual way of making global decisions.”