US President Donald Trump has again criticized the International Maritime Organization’s proposed Net-Zero Framework (NZF), describing its emissions pricing mechanism as a “global carbon tax,” according to Ship & Bunker.
Trump made the comments during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
What Trump Said
“Last year, my administration was forced to intervene to stop an obscure UN body, the International Maritime Organization, from secretly establishing a first-ever global carbon tax,” Trump said, according to the report.
He claimed the measure would increase international shipping costs by “10-20%, and maybe more than that,” Ship & Bunker reports.
Trump reinforced his position with a direct statement on global governance and taxation. “There is no global government,” he said. “And while I’m president, there will be no global taxes.”
Background on the Framework
According to Ship & Bunker, the NZF remains under consideration after IMO member states postponed its formal adoption in October 2025. Ahead of that meeting, Trump had stated in a social media post that the United States would not adhere to the framework in any form, with his administration also warning of potential retaliation against countries supporting it, the report notes.
The NZF, as described by Ship & Bunker, includes a global fuel standard alongside an economic mechanism designed to price greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.
IMO member states are set to meet again next month to continue discussions on the framework, with the goal of reaching consensus and adopting the proposal in December, according to the report.
Does This Matter to You?
The NZF’s economic mechanism and fuel standard would directly affect compliance costs and fuel procurement strategies across the shipping sector if adopted. Continued uncertainty over US participation, as highlighted by Trump’s remarks, adds another variable for operators and traders tracking how the framework’s implementation might unfold internationally.
With the IMO set to revisit the proposal next month ahead of a possible December adoption, the coming weeks may bring further clarity—or continued disagreement—on how emissions pricing for international shipping will be structured and enforced.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
