Carbon tariff 'an excuse' to protect trade

Developed countries' proposals to impose "carbon tariffs" on imports will violate WTO rules and go against the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Friday.

A statement on the MOFCOM website said such a move would license developed countries to resort to "trade protectionism in the name of protecting the environment".

The MOFCOM statement comes amid debates and negotiations over what impact a new global pact to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will have on the international balance of trade.