In accordance with a campaign promise, President Donald trump has left a party with over a hundred different countries, for much more elite company which include the likes of Syria and Nicaragua.
Exclusive? Yes. Better? Not likely.
An International - and Family - Affair
Internationally, Trump seems to be in unpopular company, with only two other countries who opted out of the Paris agreement. Even with family, the President's daughter, Ivanka Trump begs to differ among several other executives and foreign leaders.
Trump rectified the United States’ departure from the Paris Agreement according to CNN by saying, "We're getting out," he said.
"And we will start to renegotiate and we'll see if there's a better deal. If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine." It appears, the Paris Agreement is not up for negotiation anytime soon. France, Italy, and Germany responded in an official joint statement saying the deal "cannot be renegotiated based on the request of a single party." (CNN).
Other voiced critics of Trump’s decision include the French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Frowning Upon Trump's Decision
Several national leaders tried to convince President Trump to change his mind before making the decision to leave Paris Agreement, particularly Tesla chief executive, Elon Musk. Musk said he would resign from the White House business councils.
Even former President Barack Obama issued a statement saying that countries still in the agreement are at an advantage, but stated, “I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack. But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up." (CNN).
What Does This Mean?
The Paris Agreement, “…requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts through “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) and to strengthen these efforts in the years ahead” (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
The same afternoon Trump stated that future payments and contributions to United Nations' Green Climate Fund would be put at a halt indefinitely, saying this was "costing the United States a fortune”
With the United States being the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, it’s initial entry into the pact in 2015 was considered a step in the right direction (Aljazeera).
Withdrawing from the agreement could mean that the absence of the United States could influence other high carbon producing countries to opt out of the agreement as well.
Trump hopes that this, in fact, will be the resulting effect.
As he faced an expectant audience Thursday afternoon in the Rose Garden, Trump posed a question to his audience, "At what point does America get demeaned? At what point do they start laughing at us as a country?" (CNN).
At what point indeed, Mr. President.
