Trump withdraws U.S. from Paris climate accord for second time

President Donald Trump on Monday announced that the United States is once again withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, marking the second time in a decade that the nation has exited the landmark pact.

The decision removes the world’s largest historic emitter from international efforts to combat climate change and curb rising global temperatures.

The withdrawal places the United States alongside Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the only countries outside the 2015 agreement. The accord, signed by nearly 200 nations, aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and biodiversity loss.

World leaders and environmental groups condemned Trump’s decision, warning of its potential to undermine international climate cooperation.

“The United States’ withdrawal is a significant setback for global efforts to tackle the climate crisis,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “

We urge the U.S. to reconsider its position for the sake of future generations.”

European leaders also voiced their disappointment. French President Emmanuel Macron, a staunch advocate of the Paris agreement, reiterated the importance of collective action.

“The climate challenge is a global one, and no nation can tackle it alone,” Macron said in a statement.

Domestically, the decision has further polarized the political landscape. Environmental advocates and Democratic lawmakers criticized the move as shortsighted and irresponsible. “Walking away from the Paris agreement again not only jeopardizes our planet but also America’s leadership on the global stage,” said Senator Bernie Sanders.

Supporters of the withdrawal, however, praised Trump’s decision as a step toward prioritizing American economic interests.

“The Paris agreement imposes unfair burdens on the U.S. while giving a free pass to major polluters like China and India,” said Representative Jim Jordan.

The U.S. withdrawal complicates global efforts to meet the Paris agreement’s ambitious goals. Analysts warn that the absence of the United States could embolden other nations to backslide on their commitments, potentially pushing global temperatures beyond the critical threshold.

The move also raises questions about the Biden administration’s prior efforts to rejoin and strengthen the agreement. During his first term, President Joe Biden had worked to restore U.S. credibility on climate issues, committing to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and contributing to global climate finance initiatives.

Trump’s withdrawal underscores the challenges of maintaining consistent climate policy in the face of shifting political leadership. With the U.S. now outside the agreement, the path forward for global climate cooperation remains uncertain.

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