Chamber Warns Climate Change Proposals Impact U.S. Competitiveness

The Chamber’s Christopher Wenk, senior director for international policy, testified before Congress on how climate change legislation would affect U.S. products in international markets, and what role developing nations should play in reducing global emissions.

“Without question, there are serious trade implications to the current debate over the various climate change proposals on the table that should give everyone pause,” Wenk told the House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality during the March 5 hearing.

Wenk pointed out that current proposals to address greenhouse gas emissions, such as a bill by Senators Lieberman and Warner, would give a competitive advantage to developing countries and serious emitters, such as India and China. Instead, Wenk and the Chamber recommended that the administration use open trade policies to induce international partners to accept U.S. climate change goals.     

The Chamber believes that any climate change proposal must address the international nature of climate change; promote accelerated technology development and deployment; preserve U.S. jobs and the economy; reduce barriers for developing climate-friendly energy sources; and promote efficiency.

Read the testimony.

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