"China is the world's largest emitter... Many factories over 40 years old"
"The US should set carbon neutrality goals by 2050 like Europe"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, stated that China is the world's largest carbon emitter and urged the U.S. government and Congress to swiftly enact a carbon border tax bill on Chinese products. He argued that if emissions are not reduced through this measure, catastrophic disasters such as the floods currently experienced by China and Europe are inevitable. This is interpreted as a strategy to intensify pressure on China over environmental issues following the human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
On the 21st (local time), ahead of the G20 Environment Ministers' meeting, Kerry told Bloomberg News in an interview, "The carbon border tax bill has not passed in the U.S. Congress," and emphasized, "We need to move faster to curb global warming pollution from China, the largest greenhouse gas emitter." He added, "China has many coal plants that are over 40 years old," and stressed, "This is not about unfairly pointing fingers at China, but simply stating the fact that China is the largest emitter."
Earlier on the 14th, the U.S. Democratic Party decided to include a carbon border tax bill, which imposes taxes on imports with high carbon emissions, in the infrastructure investment bill. However, concerns over worsening trade deficits have made it difficult to reach an agreement in Congress.
Kerry said, "Following floods in Germany and Belgium caused by carbon emission issues, a major flood disaster is now beginning in China," and emphasized, "China must be made to set a carbon neutrality goal by 2050, like the U.S. and Europe, and actively participate in the Paris Climate Agreement." He also added, "I will visit China at the end of next month to discuss emission issues."
Some critics argue that the U.S.'s comprehensive pressure on China makes environmental cooperation between the two countries difficult. Bloomberg News reported, "Some progressive groups in the U.S., including environmental activists, point out that it is unrealistic to urge China to participate in environmental issues while increasing pressure over human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and intellectual property rights."
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