As promised, the US president finally delivered his highly anticipated decision on the Paris agreement after refusing to make a commitment during the G7 summit in Sicily last week. Speaking from the White House, Donald Trump said the 2015 climate deal is "very unfair" to the Americans who will shoulder economic burdens to benefit other foreign countries.
'I was elected by the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris'
In his speech, the US leader said he is only performing his duty to protect his nation and its citizens from being disadvantaged by other leaders.
He added that he is making this decision for his people who placed him at the #White House.
Trump, however, added that he is open for a re-negotiation and would reconsider his withdrawal from the Paris accord on conditions that are "fair" to the Americans. The president is also taking into consideration entering an entirely new agreement that will offer equal privilege to its members. "We want fair treatment," Trump said. "We don't want other countries and other leaders to laugh at us anymore."
Another blow to Obama's administration
Most Republicans commended Trump for his decision to get out of the accord for the welfare of his people. Just like the president, the majority of them consider Paris agreement a burden to the Americans who might suffer from unemployment and other economic disadvantages of this commitment.
House speaker Paul Ryan said the accord was "a raw deal" for the US and applauded the American leader for withdrawing from a "bad deal." Mitch McConnell branded this move a "blow to Obama's administration's assault on domestic energy production and jobs."
Energy secretary Rick Perry also supported the US president and assured that the current administration will act on the issue of climate change within its own bounds.
Meanwhile, Texas representative Lamar Smith said Trump has "freed" the Americans from a "bad deal" that would cost his nation thousands of dollars with little significant benefit to the environment.
Ronna Romney McDaniel said this move is an indication that the US "will no longer remain beholden to burdensome international deals," while Maine's Susan Collins said she is "disappointed" by Trump's decision to back out from the climate pact.
Other leaders who share the same sentiment with Collins include Canada's Justin Trudeau, who underlined his commitment to fight the issue of climate change. Rhode Island's Sheldon Whitehouse said Trump just betrayed his country when he decided to withdraw from the Paris agreement.
