Proposed foreign pollution fee is a strategic approach to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and competitiveness

Ceres applauds the introduction of legislation in the U.S. Senate today to establish a foreign pollution fee, which would leverage U.S. trade policy to bolster and capitalize on the nation’s global leadership in clean manufacturing. 

The legislation, introduced by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), would assess import fees on products that do not meet U.S. environmental standards. It would support domestic economic growth while cutting global pollution by encouraging reshoring of advanced supply chains and jobs as well as cleaner manufacturing overseas – including through the export of U.S. technology. 

“With federal incentives guiding new investment in advanced manufacturing jobs and supply chains, the U.S. is a global leader in clean industry and technologies. A foreign pollution fee would ensure our leadership in these critical 21^st century industries remains an advantage against China and other competitors,” said Zach Friedman, senior director of state policy, Ceres. “At a volatile time for global trade, this legislation would provide a Congressionally approved, predicable, and fair border mechanism that will help address the U.S. budget deficit, cut pollution around the world, and benefit U.S. economic, geopolitical, and national security interests.” 

Ceres has supported versions of this legislation for several years. In 2023, Ceres hosted Sen. Cassidy in a meeting with large U.S. companies to discuss the concept. The organization has also supported efforts to quantify carbon pollution associated with foreign-made products in comparison to U.S. products. 

Ceres has also organized business advocacy for advanced manufacturing tax credits that incentivize clean industry, an important complement to border mechanisms such as the foreign pollution fee to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in clean manufacturing and other emerging industries. 

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Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line—changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org.