BEIJING, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- China says a proposed carbon tax on imported goods from countries without stringent environmental laws would violate World Trade Organization rules.
Expressing his government's firm opposition to any such tax, Chinese Assistant Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao said it would amount to trade protectionism, China Daily reported.
The carbon tax as it relates to climate change is expected to figure at the Group of 20 Summit next week in Pittsburgh.
Referring to a bill passed by U.S. Congress in June, the China Daily said beginning 2020 its provision would require the U.S. president to impose a tariff on certain goods from countries that do not act to limit carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming. A similar tax for Europe has been suggested by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the report said.
"We hope that certain developed countries will refrain from (imposing a carbon tax) that will not benefit them and will hurt the interests of other countries," Zhu said.
Some Chinese economists have suggested their government levy a carbon tax on Chinese exports so the revenue will stay at home as under WTO rules, the same tax cannot be charged twice on the same items.
