Chinese and US leaders have high hopes on clean energy cooperation during the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue. But last month, the US proposed a carbon tariff on imports from developing countries. France put forward a similar proposal which has been rejected by EU environment ministers.

The outcome of last week's informal meeting of EU environment ministers shows that the proposal -- as part of efforts to deal with climate change -- has not been winning much support, even among Western countries.

Some in the West argue that imposing punitive carbon tariff will force developing countries to reduce their emissions.

But others warn the carbon tariff should NOT become a sort of trade protectionism. They say the tariff proposal will harm efforts by negotiating parties to cut a broad deal on tackling climate change at the Copenhagen Summit, scheduled for this December.

Andreas Carlgren, Swedish environment Minister, said, "The threat of taxes to harm, for example, developing countries, will seriously make the negotiations more difficult. That will be a threat to a successful negotiation."

Other environment ministers are also voicing their strong opposition to the tariff.

Sonjica Buyelwa, S.African Emvironment Minister, said, "That would make a negative impact on the exports of developing countries into developed countries.And we think it's a protectionism support, so we don't support it."

Environment ministers say the carbon tariff proposal does not take into account economic and social challenges that developing countries face when trying to reduce emission. They also say it does not address the historical duty and responsibility of developed countries to fight global warming.

(CCTV July 29, 2009)