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US opposes IMO proposal citing cost concerns for citizens

and

businesses

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US exited IMO talks on net-zero framework in April

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Major shipping firms committed to net zero by 2050

(Rewrites first paragraph, adds background, comments

throughout)

By Lisa Baertlein and Valerie Volcovici

Aug 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. on Tuesday rejected the

"Net-Zero Framework" proposal by the International Maritime

Organization, which is aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas

emissions from the international shipping sector, and threatened

measures against countries that support it.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by Secretary

of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy

Secretary Chris Wright and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy,

comes ahead of a vote at the United Nations' shipping agency to

adopt the net-zero proposal in October.

"The Trump Administration unequivocally rejects this

proposal before the IMO and will not tolerate any action that

increases costs for our citizens, energy providers, shipping

companies and their customers, or tourists," the statement said.

"Our fellow IMO members should be on notice that we will

look for their support against this action and not hesitate to

retaliate or explore remedies for our citizens should this

endeavor fail," it continued.

The U.S. already

exited IMO talks

on the net-zero framework in April and urged other IMO

members in a memo seen by Reuters to reconsider their support

for it.

The World Shipping Council, which represents major

shipping firms like container carrier Maersk and

car carrier Major global container shipping companies, including

Maersk and car carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen ( WAWIF ), declined

comment.

Many WSC members already have committed to net zero

operations by 2050.

President

Donald Trump

has also said he is

withdrawing

the

United States

from the Paris climate agreement, which set a goal for

countries to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The U.S. is currently engaging in

UN

negotiations to secure a global treaty to reduce plastic

pollution and has warned countries in a memo that it

will not support a pact

that sets caps on plastic pollution and bans the use of

certain chemicals.

Shipping, which transports around 90% of world trade and

accounts for nearly 3% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions,

has faced calls from environmentalists and investors to deliver

more concrete action, including a carbon levy.

The United States is one of 176 IMO member states.