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WASHINGTON – The Washington Examiner highlighted the forthcoming Foreign Pollution Fee proposal from U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA). A Foreign Pollution Fee, coupled with permitting reform, would hold China accountable, expand domestic production, increase opportunities for the American family, and decrease global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“Sen. Bill Cassidy is convinced he has the policy that can challenge China’s geopolitical and military might, put a dent in its bountiful greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the U.S. economy, and, perhaps most importantly, get to 60 votes. “Cassidy said he’s floating a proposal around to his colleagues, which he hopes to introduce later this year, to impose a ‘foreign pollution fee’ on various product imports from fuel, to chemicals, cement, aluminum, steel, and plastics to deal with these various China-related political, environmental, and national security interests at once. “‘I actually think that it’s the only way to address it, and I do think it’s got political legs,’ Cassidy told Jeremy. “All about CBAM: Congress is increasingly preoccupied with countering Chinese military activities, which it feeds with a vast industrial base run largely on coal. “China is also planning significant new coal-fired power capacity to fuel its growing economy at a time when international authorities and the West are committing to phase out coal-fired power generation to blunt climate change. “The answer lies in a carbon border adjustment mechanism — a carbon tariff — which Cassidy prefers to call a foreign pollution fee. “The idea to levy a charge on energy- and therefore emissions-intensive goods such as steel and aluminum has been floating around Capitol Hill for a while, with support from both Republicans and Democrats… “‘It is a way for the U.S. to pursue climate, economic, and foreign policy interests in a peaceful way in which China has the ability to adapt and to adjust and to participate fully in a very positive way,’ Cassidy said. ‘But it also helps prevent China from gaming, arbitraging, or cheating international norms when it comes to taking care of the environment, etc.’” Read the full article here. Background Cassidy penned an op-ed in The Washington Times discussing the geopolitical threats China poses to U.S. global standing. Cassidy stressed the need for a U.S. foreign policy towards China that meets at the nexus of national security, energy security, economic policy, and climate policy. Cassidy recently joined Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax to discuss his foreign pollution fee, noting the competitive advantage China receives from intentionally ignoring environmental standards. Last year, Cassidy released a landmark energy & climate policy outline in response to the Biden administration’s assault on domestic energy. The outline details how we can successfully reset U.S. energy policy, including Cassidy’s plan for an Energy Operation Warp Speed to cut permitting red tape and unleash domestic energy. ### |
