French PM calls for European carbon levy / France wants EU imports tax to turn heat on polluters

Countries that refuse to join international efforts to cut greenhouse emissions – such as the US and China – should face a European carbon tax on their imports, Dominique de Villepin, the French prime minister, proposed on 13 November 2006. The controversial proposal is likely to heighten suspicions that Europeans are using environmental arguments to justify protectionist restrictions on trade. It would require full European Union support to become reality.

UNCCC: United Nations Climate Change Conference - Nairobi 2006 http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_12/items/3754.php

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