Re: Trump isolates U.S. on G20 climate change action, July 8

Trump isolates U.S. on G20 climate change action, July 8

Donald Trump’s stated position is: “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” In other words, Trump thinks fighting global warming would cost the U.S. in terms of jobs and profit margins. Following that same logic, if the U.S. does not fight climate change while most of the other countries are doing so, the U.S. would have a competitive advantage. In effect, by not reducing its carbon emissions, the U.S. is subsidizing its manufacturing sector and engaging in unfair trade practices.

We can ensure that the U.S. pays its fair share by imposing a carbon import tax on all U.S. products. Countries can then direct the revenue from these taxes towards reducing their own emissions, to exceed their own targets and to make up for the U.S.’s shortfall.

We all know that fighting climate change is the best way forward to a new economy. The rest of the world will be light-years ahead of the U.S. by the time Trump leaves office. The world wins by tackling climate change. The U.S. loses by making both its manufacturing exports uncompetitive and lagging behind on innovation. If world leaders can present a united front on imposing carbon taxes on U.S. products, maybe Trump will see the light.

Clyde McDonald, Bracebridge

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