U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan has welcomed the decision to delay a United Nations vote on the adoption of a global carbon tax, following pressure from the United States. Buchanan described the postponement as a significant development for American workers, consumers, and businesses.
“Postponing the vote on adoption of the world’s first global carbon tax is a major win for American workers, consumers and businesses. I commend Ambassador Waltz, Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration for their strong leadership in pushing back against this misguided UN scheme that would have raised shipping costs, distorted global trade and handed a strategic advantage to China,” Buchanan said in a statement.
He continued, “In June, I urged U.S. trade negotiators to treat this carbon pricing framework as part of China’s broader non-market strategy to dominate global shipbuilding, and I’m glad to see that message was heard. This delay gives us time to fight back against an unfair, inflationary policy that puts Florida’s ports and American businesses at risk. We must continue working to permanently defeat this global tax and protect U.S. sovereignty, competitiveness and maritime strength.”
Earlier this year, Buchanan wrote to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressing opposition to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) proposed global carbon tax on emissions. In his letter, he argued that the measure should be viewed as an extension of non-market practices identified in a recent Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding sector. He also called for future trade negotiations to consider how countries vote on such proposals.
Additionally, Buchanan collaborated with Daniel Blazer, co-founder of World Direct Shipping, in an opinion piece published by RealClearWorld earlier this week. The op-ed called on the Trump administration to reject the IMO’s proposal.
Buchanan has represented Florida’s 16th congressional district since 2007 after succeeding Katherine Harris https://buchanan.house.gov/about. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B001260. Born in Detroit in 1951, Buchanan currently resides in Sarasota. He holds degrees from Cleary University and the University of Detroit Mercy.
