A NET Zero tax on container ships will push up prices and betray British consumers, Sir Keir Starmer has been warned.
The Prime Minister is defying Donald Trump by backing a United Nations levy on vessels.
Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said it will “sink the shipping industry under a tide of global regulation”.
“The scheme will mean higher costs for British goods, higher prices for British consumers, and a competitive edge handed straight to China,” she told The Telegraph.
“Keir Starmer has no backbone, and once again Labour is letting international bureaucrats write the rules while our ship owners and exporters foot the bill.”
Britain, the EU, Brazil and China are for the shipping emissions tax, while the US and the Gulf states are against it.
America is threatening sanctions against any countries that sign up to it – warning it will raise prices for consumers by 10 per cent.
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said the impact could be “disastrous” for shipping costs.
If the vote passes on Friday it will be the first time worldwide tariffs will be levied on ships that emit too much carbon dioxide.
The Department for Transport said the UK “strongly” supports the net zero agreement which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and unlock economic opportunities.
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