"This is a critical time for the shipping. We are experiencing an unprecedented threat to the free trade'. This was underlined by the President of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Emanuele Grimaldi, in on the occasion of the summit "Shaping the future of shipping - Weathering the storms", held a few days ago in Montreal, which was organized by the ICS and the Chamber of Commerce Canada's Seafarer to Discuss with Industry Leaders of the challenges and risks that characterise trade World.

"The number of barriers to trade imposed unilaterally by the nations - explained Grimaldi - is increasing exponentially. Now I understand that the intentions behind such barriers may be good, but the reality is whereas trade is increasingly being used as a weapon, while nations seek to gain greater economic or economic benefits achieve policy objectives. Every year the sea transport - added the ICS President - is responsible for the transport of goods worth more than $14 billion, and Every trade barrier to shipping has an effect on amplifier that will have a negative impact on trade global growth and will ultimately reduce growth Generalized. The failure of global institutions such as the World Bank of Applied Sciences and Sciences Trade Organization - Grimaldi denounced - further aggravates This is a problem as we need strong institutions to facilitate efficient and inexpensive trade between nations'.

Recalling that in 2021 the ICS commissioned Harvard Kennedy School of Government to examine the problem of protectionism, Chairman of the Shipowners' Association pointed out that this The study found that "the cutting of policies Restrictive trade measures could boost the global economy by more than three percentage points. The report - he specified Grimaldi – also found that high-income nations could see an average increase of 4.5% in their exports of goods if they loosen tariff restrictions and do not Businesses. Developing economies would see an increase even higher, by 7%, if they were to reduce their restrictions in "modest and fair". Over two trillion dollars World imports, the ICS president noted, are affected by constraints such as these, which is equivalent to the domestic product Canada'.

Grimaldi pointed out that obstacles to trade had been put in place also by the European Union with the introduction of the system for the EU Emissions Trading (EU ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment (CBAM): 'from the publication of this report - he explained referring to the study carried out by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government - We have seen the introduction of new global regulations and taxes that have a negative impact on trade. In Europe - ha said Grimaldi - the EU ETS and CBAM proposals have created systems that have an impact on free trade. In addition, Europe and The U.S. is proposing to impose large tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, all at a time when We are asking the world to switch to electric cars. In the United States United, some are even considering the idea to impose tariffs on ships calling at U.S. ports just because they were built in China. And, of course, the Our associates in the tanker ship industry have to deal with with the imposition of sanctions by governments in response to the terrible attack on Ukraine by Russia."

"This rising tide of protectionism Grimaldi - exacerbates the complexities for our industry and It generates costs for our customers. The last thing we have The need right now is a trade war. However Protectionism is on the rise."

"From our point of view," agreed the president and CEO of Canada's Chamber of Marine Commerce, Bruce Burrows - le unilateral and protectionist initiatives of a nation, such as the tariffs, not only do they fail to discourage actions, policies and the practices of other nations, but they also harm the national competitiveness on import-export markets and increase costs for consumers. At a time when the world is already facing significant challenges, including running emissions and the availability of Protectionism only translates into self-harm."