The Trump administration launched a sharp attack on the Net-Zero International Maritime Framework (IMO) for shipping, describing it as a “global carbon tax on Americans” imposed by the “non-accountable United Nations”.
In a joint statement, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, Minister of Commerce, Howard Lottenic, Energy Minister Chris Wright, and Minister of Transport Sean Duffy warned that the United States would oppose the plan at the adoption meeting in October 2025.
“President Trump will not accept any international environmental agreement that is fairly enhanced by the United States or harms American consumers,” the statement announced, indicating a possible interruption in the regulation of global shipping.
IMO’s proposal will set bounds to binding emissions and offer greenhouse gases across the marine industry starting in 2027. It targets large ships that exceed 5,000 of the total tone-responsible for approximately 85 % of CO₂ global shipping emissions-which require cleaner fuel and displacement payments that exceed the threshold of emissions.
The Trump administration argues that the plan will raise the costs of shipping and energy, punish the operators of cruises and gospels, and benefit from China by assigning expensive fuel that has not yet been widely available. The statement said: “Even small ships will bear millions in the drawings,” the statement said. “We will not tolerate any action that pays the costs of our citizens or our industries.”
The administration also warned other IMO members against opposing the framework or facing American revenge.
Industry groups are divided. The international shipping room, which represents more than 80 % of the global merchant fleet, supports the IMO plan, and is called necessary to accelerate cleaner fuel production. The Secretary -General of ICS Thomas A. Kazakos: “IMO should act in October to grant the industry clarity and incentives to cancel carbon.”
Critics note that Trump’s policies are wider trade and tariffs already increases the prices of the United States. Jonathan Gold, Vice President of the National Federation for sale, said:
IMO’s NET-Zero frame will create a low-emissions bonus fund, green infrastructure support in developing countries, and a shield of weak cases of economic harm. Detailed implementation guidelines are expected to be in 2026, with the start of implementation in 2027.
Trump’s position is nominating former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz as an American ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz, who has previously participated in the reform of the maritime policy, is expected to carry the management line on global shipping bases to New York.
