There is growing clamor in industrial countries for additional border taxes on imports from countries with lower carbon prices. A key factor affecting the impact of these taxes is whether they are based on the carbon content of imports or the carbon content in domestic production. Our quantitative estimates suggest that the former, when applied to all merchandise imports, would address competitiveness and environmental concerns in high-income countries, but with serious consequences for trading partners.
For example, China’s manufacturing exports would decline by one-fifth, and those of all low- and middle-income countries, by 8 percent; the corresponding declines in real income would be 3.7 percent and 2.4 percent. In contrast, border-tax adjustment based on the carbon content in domestic production, especially if applied to both imports and exports, would broadly address the competitiveness concerns of producers in high-income countries without seriously damaging developing-country trade.
Working Paper 188: Can Global De-Carbonization Inhibit Developing-Country Industrialization?
Therefore, as part of a comprehensive agreement on climate change, new WTO rules could be negotiated that would prohibit the extreme form of action while possibly allowing trade actions based on domestic carbon content as a safety valve.