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Europe
EU Considering Carbon Limits On Imported Goods ('cause screwing the locals isn't enough)
2008-01-26
From a subscription newsletter - link goes to the source of the report
The European Commission is considering requiring companies that import carbon-intensive goods into the European Union to buy allowances on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), according to published reports and an industry source familiar with the proposal.
I think it's called a "scheme" for good reason....
Under the proposal, energy-intensive industries bringing goods into the European Union would be treated on the same basis as EU companies covered by the ETS. Importers would be allocated carbon caps depending on the volume of imports and would be required to buy additional allowances for emissions in excess of the cap.
'Cause their economies aren't circling the drain fast enough now
Consideration of possible measures, which would be designed to counterbalance any competitive disadvantage experienced by European companies covered by the ETS, was "just starting," the spokeswoman said.
Uh-huh. Haven't yet figured out how best to screw everybody concerned, while lining your own pockets?
Typical socialism. Create a problem, then 'counter-balance' it.
The European employers' federation BusinessEurope said ... it was "very nervous" about possible tariff obligations.
Smart people
BusinessEurope senior adviser Folker Franz [said] that while the industry organization was happy that the Commission was considering measures to ensure the competitiveness of European firms since they can't actually compete with the EU millstone around their necks, tariff-style measures could "trigger retaliation."
No, really? Hooda thunk that?
The idea of imposing carbon-related tariffs on countries considered to be not doing enough to combat climate change was put forward by former French president Jacques Chirac, ...
no surprise there
... and has been taken up by his successor, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Sark, Sark, Sark - where'd the reformer go?
Sarkozy said in October 2007 that the European Union should "examine the option of taxing products imported from countries that were smarter than we were do not respect the Kyoto Protocol," to eliminate "unfair competition" brought about by the additional cost on EU countries imposed by the ETS.
Ummm, there's another way to eliminate that "unfair competition," Sark - GET RID OF YOUR EXCESSIVE TAXES. Just a thought....
Kyoto was designed to burden the U.S., not the EU. Since that didn't work they have to come up with something else ...
The proposals being discussed by the Commission, for example, would subject a company importing one metric ton of steel into the European Union to a border adjustment that would impose the same ETS obligation as on a company producing one ton of steel within EU borders.
You misspelled "import tax," Sark. But then EUros usually do....

Read the report at the link, if you're a masochist (or have trouble falling asleep).
Posted by:Barbara Skolaut

#15  Smoot-Hawley anyone?
Posted by: SR-71   2008-01-26 14:26  

#14  What about imported diamonds? Pure carbon, and energy intensive to mine. Just a thought. Carry this scheme through to the idiotic end. Give 'em hydrogen. No car-bon forrr yuuuuu.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2008-01-26 12:58  

#13  Oil has a great deal of carbon in it, do they intend to add another tax to that too?
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2008-01-26 12:25  

#12  The EU is concerned with the drop in the US dollar and the effect on their trade balance with the US. This is a smoke screen (ummm, CO2 screen) to place new tariffs on US goods.
Posted by: DMFD   2008-01-26 12:09  

#11  Please go ahead with this. Then slap punitive tariffs on carbon burning Euro autos. It's the best hope of reviving Midwest industries from 30 years of recession.
Posted by: ed   2008-01-26 10:58  

#10  Gaia knows that Chinese carbon is good.
Posted by: Matt   2008-01-26 10:55  

#9  "Ignore China, but nail the US?"

Bingo, Blackbeard!
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2008-01-26 09:45  

#8  Actually, this scheme will backfire hilariously. Not only will the WTO rightfully classify this as protectionist, but it will open the EU up to penalties from both NA and China.

Most likely, the WTO will tell them to drop the scheme, and if they refuse, then the WTO will allow both NA and China to slap huge tariffs on EU products.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-01-26 08:59  

#7  The EU isn't meeting Kyoto goals either.
Posted by: doc   2008-01-26 08:22  

#6  Seeking to repeat their triumph with GE Foods?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2008-01-26 08:08  

#5  "carbon limits" on imports.
But they'll still import oil, right?

BS on top of BS on top of BS.
Posted by: Tholuper Scourge of the Nebraskans5421   2008-01-26 08:06  

#4  They've got to find SOME way to keep their businesses alive.

Idiots.
Posted by: lotp   2008-01-26 07:45  

#3  BusinessEurope senior adviser Folker Franz

Funny how his name matches his purpose.
Posted by: Punky Omeagum5537   2008-01-26 04:03  

#2  Dammit. That yolk wasn't supposed to fall on OUR neck...

I wonder if the tariff applies to Nigeria, Saudi, etc. Or will they be selective about who gets hit with the tax? Ignore China, but nail the US?
Posted by: Blackbeard Thragum3556   2008-01-26 03:11  

#1  It is as if making up the unions sovereignty is not enough. Gotta make another ponzi scheme to rape the already overtaxed people. I think they also need a hot air tax also.
Posted by: newc   2008-01-26 02:01  

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