No government was speaking out against the tax, said Ana Toni, who is national secretary for climate change in the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
However, the lack of overt opposition does not mean the tax proposal is likely to be approved.
Many governments are privately sceptical but unwilling to publicly criticise a plan that would shave a tiny amount from the rapidly accumulating wealth of the planet’s richest few, and raise money to address the pressing global climate emergency.
Janet Yellen, the US Treasury secretary, told journalists in Rio that the US “did not see the need” for a global initiative.
But she said levying and raising a tax globally was possible, as had been shown by G7 finance ministers’ agreement to levy a minimum 15% corporate tax.
“It should be at a global level, because otherwise, obviously, rich people will move from one country to another,” she said.
“We are looking forward to working with the UK government on a new financial mechanism to tackle climate, but also preserve nature. »
