Trump move puts US on a lonely path

European Union’s top climate change official calls decision ‘a sad day for the global community’

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump had railed against the Paris Climate Accord as a candidate for the White House, but seemed to have developed second thoughts about it after election. On Thursday, he overcame whatever doubts he may have had and announced he was pulling America out of the agreement.

“We’re getting out,” Trump said in a speech from the White House. “But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal that’s fair. And if we can, that’s great. And if we can’t, that’s fine.” He used the phrase “new transactions” and, reprising his administration’s theme of America First, said the deal should be on terms that are fair to the US, its businesses, people and taxpayers.

Trump called the leaders of France, Germany, Canada and Britain to explain his reasons for pulling out of the accord.

But German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said in a rare joint statement the agreement could not be renegotiated and urged allies to hasten efforts to combat climate change.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the decision as “disheartening”.

Former president Barack Obama, one of the architects of the accord, said: “I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor and a registered Republican, criticised Trump. “One man cannot destroy our progress. One man can’t stop our clean energy revolution. And one man can’t go back in time.”