I am curious to know when the first payment is due from the airlines that are playing along with the EU-ETS aka EU-REP*? Will said fees be refunded if the EU backs down?
The triumvirate of Chinese, US, and Russian political and economic pressure will surely soften the ground, but will it be enough? Inclusion of the rest of the non-EU ICAO member states would seem to have little additional effect, so my impression is all eyes are best focused on the angry big three.
Finally, is it possible the un-elected gang of 27 aka the European Commission is so far out of touch with reality that they will refuse to back down? At what point do their home governments pull the plug on their profound arrogance?
*revenue enhancement programme