China warns EU airline carbon tax could spark ‘trade war’

China has criticized an EU plan to levy a carbon tax on all airlines in its airspace, with state media warning of sparking a global trade war, the Financial Times reported. The European Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday against US airlines requiring a carbon cap on all airlines flying to and from EU airports starting January 1, an action that challenged a European law. Chinese airlines and some Beijing goverments have also been preparing a legal challenge in Europe. “Except for the EU, no countries support this,” said Chai Haibo, deputy secretary general of the China Air Transport Association, adding that global pressure could persuade the EU to abolish its law. “This is a trade barrier in the name of environmental protection, and it constitutes an attack on the interests of travelers and the international aviation industry. It will be difficult to avoid a trade war focused on a ‘carbon tax’ for airlines,” said state-owned Xinhua news agency.