IMO Delays Vote on Global Shipping Emissions Levy for One Year After U.S. Pressure

Overview

• Member states meeting in London approved a Saudi‑backed motion to defer the adoption vote on the levy for one year.
• The White House intensified opposition, threatening port fees, visa limits, trade penalties and sanctions, and President Trump said the U.S. would not join the tax.
• Countries that had supported the plan in April—including China, Greece, India and Panama—either backed delay or abstained, leaving the EU unable to assemble a majority.
• U.S. negotiators pressed to require explicit national opt‑in after any adoption, and more countries were allowed to vote on postponement than would have on the tax itself.
• Industry groups and small‑island states warned the setback creates damaging uncertainty for decarbonization investments, despite projections the levy could raise over $10 billion annually.