Episode 525: Anchors Away? U.S. Sinks Global Shipping Tax Vote

Today, Les, Jamil, and Jess discuss the Trump administration’s successful effort to delay a major vote at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body that oversees global shipping regulations. The proposal would have taxed vessels based on carbon emissions, with revenues funneled to the UN. The U.S. opposed the measure, warning it would raise shipping fuel costs and threaten to worsen inflation at home. After intense U.S. lobbying—described by some as bullying—the IMO voted to postpone the plan.

Was this coercion or simply hardball diplomacy? Should the UN, through the IMO, have the authority to levy global taxes in the first place? And as the administration frames its push as economic self-defense, does this signal a broader rejection of multilateral climate measures that Washington sees as bad for business?

Check out this souce that helped shape our fellows’ discussion: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/climate/trump-climate-international-bullying.html 

@lestermunson

@nottvjessjones

@jamil_n_jaffer

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