Protectionism in Kerry-Boxer

Like in Waxman-Markey, the new Kerry-Boxer bill features concerning provisions which hint at carbon tariffs.

The Boxer-Kerry bill devotes a single sentence to what has become an increasingly thorny question: Should the U.S. slap carbon tariffs on imports from countries that don’t curb their own greenhouse gases, as the House climate bill did? To wit:

"SEC. 765. INTERNATIONAL TRADE. ‘‘It is the sense of the Senate that this Act will contain a trade title that will include a border measure that is consistent with our international obligations and designed to work in conjunction with provisions that allocate allowances to energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries.’’

“Border measure” seems to mean “border adjustment,” which is how the House version of the bill labels tariffs on imports from environmentally-unfriendly countries. The House bill says those tariffs have to be “consistent with international agreements;” the Senate speaks of “international obligations.” Both appear to refer to the questionable legality of carbon tariffs under World Trade Organization rules.

This is triply concerning because the House has already passed a bill with similar provisions, and Obama hasn't exactly distinguished himself as the stalwart defender of free trade.