US and Canada plot road to carbon border adjustments

The imposition of carbon tariffs is legitimate for tackling environmental concerns but risks initiating a slippery slope towards global trade protectionism, experts warn

The US and Canada appear to have jumped onto the carbon border adjustment (CBA) bandwagon in recent weeks, joining the UK and EU as major proponents of carbon tariffs as a means of protecting their economies from countries with laxer climate regimes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said joint environmental plans were an important topic of discussion during his virtual meeting with President Joe Biden on 23 February, including how to single out countries with weaker carbon taxes and regulations. People close to both leaders have indicated they are highly supportive of CBAs as they ramp up efforts to decarbonise their respective economies. “Some could argue climate change is so serious th