Trump Withdraws US from Paris Climate Accord Again
AFP/APP
Washington: President Donald Trump announced the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate accord for a second time, defying global climate efforts as severe weather events continue to escalate worldwide. Alongside this, Trump declared a “national energy emergency” to expand drilling in the U.S., pledged to scrap vehicle emissions standards, and vowed to halt offshore wind farms.
Speaking to supporters after his swearing-in, Trump stated, “I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Accord rip-off,” criticizing China’s pollution and insisting that the U.S. would not harm its own industries. He also signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to reject international climate finance commitments made by the previous administration.
Under the Paris Accord’s rules, the US will formally exit in one year, marking a significant move away from global climate cooperation. Critics warn that this could embolden major polluters like China and India to weaken their own commitments. Meanwhile, Argentina’s President Javier Milei also expressed intentions to re-evaluate his country’s participation.
Rachel Cleetus from the Union of Concerned Scientists condemned the withdrawal, calling it “a travesty” that “shows an administration cruelly indifferent to the harsh climate change impacts.”
Trump’s decision comes as global temperatures surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold for the first time, highlighting the urgency for climate action. Despite the U.S. withdrawal, the Paris Agreement remains strong, with UN climate officials noting that the door remains open for Washington to rejoin.
In addition to exiting the climate agreement, Trump signed several orders to undo former President Joe Biden’s climate policies, declaring a national energy emergency to ramp up fossil fuel production.
Trump’s pro-fossil fuel stance is set to reverse Biden’s offshore drilling bans and attack the Inflation Reduction Act, which funnels billions into clean energy investments.
Energy industry leaders, such as Mike Sommers of the American Petroleum Institute, praised Trump’s policies, viewing them as a return to “American energy dominance.” However, environmental advocates condemned the actions.
Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, criticized the declaration of an “energy emergency,” stating, “There is no energy emergency. There is a climate emergency.”
Analyses predict Trump’s policies will slow the pace of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, but experts remain hopeful that long-term emissions trends will still point toward a decrease.
Despite the withdrawal, the overwhelming scientific consensus on the link between fossil fuel use and climate change persists. The U.S. has already seen the devastating effects of climate change, with catastrophic hurricanes and wildfires ravaging the country in recent years.
