Readers might remember that recently Energy Secretary (and very clever man — he is a Nobel Laureate, after all) Steven Chu seemed to assert authority over U.S. trade policy when he said that the U.S. should consider tariffs on countries that do not have strong carbon-controls. Rep. Joe Barton, Ranking Member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and colleagues have therefore written to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk asking him his views on USTR Secretary Chu’s power-grab:

To our knowledge, Secretary Chu’s comments represented the first public statement by an Obama administration official that the United States is contemplating duties or tariffs on imported goods manufactured in countries that do not participate in emissions reduction schemes,” the lawmakers wrote. “Given the direct role you and your staff would have in any administration policy making on trade matters, we would appreciate your assistance in clarifying administration policy.

A full copy of the letter and the interesting questions it asks can be found here.