Under Fire: EU's Carbon Levy Tagged as 'Protectionist' at Global Climate Talks

Takeaways

• The European Union is facing intense pressure at the COP30 climate talks in Belém to defend its new carbon levy, the CBAM, against accusations that it is a protectionist trade measure.
• Developing countries, led by strong concerns from India, Saudi Arabia, and African nations, argue that the unilateral measure damages international collaboration and raises the cost of decarbonization efforts.
• Brazil, the conference host, suggested a formal U.N. assessment of trade measures, a proposition the EU fiercely rejects, fearing it will create an inappropriate "proxy dispute settlement system."

Trade tensions have unexpectedly taken center stage at this year’s global climate talks, with the European Union scrambling to defend its landmark Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from a growing international backlash.

The diplomatic friction over the upcoming EU carbon levy, set to take effect on January 1, has reached a boiling point in Belém. Exporting nations fear the levy, alongside other new EU green policies, is not a climate tool but a thinly veiled form of protectionism.

The levy, officially known as CBAM, is designed to impose a fee on certain imported goods from nations that do not have similar carbon pricing schemes. The EU’s stated goal is to prevent European manufacturers, who already pay around €80 per ton of carbon for domestic heavy-polluting activities like steel and cement production, from being undercut by dirtier, cheaper foreign competitors. The policy is meant to push other nations toward setting up their own carbon price and accelerate global decarbonization.

Read More: UK Scrambles to Link Carbon Market with EU, Risking $1B Tax Hit

China, Developing Countries Voice Concerns

While many developing countries have been vocal in their opposition, China’s climate envoy, Liu Zhenmin, stressed the need for international cooperation. “All parties need to cooperate to avoid unilateral measures that might damage international collaboration,” Liu told the media, while encouraging the EU to resolve its concerns bilaterally.

However, delegates and observers agree that discussions have overwhelmingly targeted the EU. Countries like India, Saudi Arabia, and several African nations are actively pushing for the COP30 conference to effectively condemn the bloc’s green trade measures. Bangladesh’s climate ministry official, Mohammad Navid Safiullah, echoed the sentiment, stating, “climate ambition must be built on partnership, not protectionism.”

EU Rejects Trade Forum in Climate Talks

The Brazilian hosts, recognizing the depth of the issue, attempted to resolve the dispute by suggesting a regular assessment of measures like CBAM within the United Nations climate talks framework. This proposal, however, was swiftly rejected by EU negotiators.

EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra insisted the measure is purely climate-focused, saying he was “more than happy” to discuss CBAM but would “not be lured into the suggestion” that the measure is aimed at restricting trade. The bloc’s lead negotiators firmly reject the idea of using U.N. climate talks to settle trade disputes, arguing that such a move would create a "proxy dispute settlement system."

Also Read: EU to Use CBAM Revenues to Shield Exporters from Losses

Despite the pressure, the EU is standing firm, recognizing the inherent friction that its climate policies create in the trading system. The growing global discussion suggests that, as more nations (like the UK) consider implementing similar carbon border taxes, an eventual, globally accepted standard for these "green trade" measures will be sorely needed.

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Source: POLITICO