FT journalist Attracta Mooney discusses Denmark's innovative carbon tax on livestock, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The tax, set to reach €100 per cow by 2030, sparks debates on food security and profitability. The podcast also touches on EU duties on substandard Chinese goods, Panama closing the Darién gap, and concerns over Joe Biden's fitness for office.
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Quick takeaways
The EU plans import duties on Chinese goods to tackle substandard products entering the EU.
Denmark introduces the world's first cow tax to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
Deep dives
EU Plans Import Duties on Chinese Online Retail Goods
The European Commission aims to impose import duties on cheap products from Chinese online retailers to address concerns about substandard goods entering the EU. Removing the duty-free threshold on items under 150 euros could impact the flow of goods significantly, as over two billion such products were imported into the EU last year.
Panama's Efforts to Close the Darien Gap
Panama's President, Jose Raul Molino, intends to close the Darien Gap, a perilous jungle crossing used by migrants heading to the United States. This move aligns with US priorities on reducing migration, placing pressure on Panama to implement effective measures. Despite challenges in implementing the policy due to complex geography and human rights considerations, the closure could have significant implications in controlling migrant flows.
Denmark's Tax on Livestock for Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Denmark introduces a pioneering tax on livestock, specifically targeting cows, to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Cows, known for generating methane through digestion, are a major contributor to global emissions. The tax, starting at 120 Danish kroner per cow annually and increasing over time, sets a precedent for addressing agricultural emissions. While receiving mixed reactions from farmers, this measure may influence similar initiatives in Europe and globally to mitigate environmental impact.
The EU is planning to impose duties on substandard Chinese goods, Panama’s president wants to close the Darién gap, and Joe Biden is under pressure to explain his fitness to run for office. Plus, the FT’s Attracta Mooney explains how Denmark is implementing the world’s first carbon tax on agriculture.
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Mischa Frankl-Duval, Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Our intern is Prakriti Panwar. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.