Developed countries' proposals to impose "carbon tariffs" on imports will violate WTO rules and go against the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Friday.

A statement on the MOFCOM website said such a move would license developed countries to resort to "trade protectionism in the name of protecting the environment".

The MOFCOM statement comes amid debates and negotiations over what impact a new global pact to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will have on the international balance of trade.