Democrats get an advantage to impose a fee on imports of carbon-intensive goods. They are experiencing a split reaction among business interests that stand for welfare or suffer from a new form of protectionist trade policy linked to inscribing climate change.

Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware and Rep. Scott Peters of California say their legislation was introduced on July 19. It was deliberated to protect the competitiveness of U.S. industries, which are exposed to domestic climate rules. This could be further strained as the Biden administration expands more aggressive policies.

This act would force companies abroad that are not subjected to strict environmental rules and want to sell commodities to the United States to pay a price for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit in making its products.