Withdrawal from Paris accord puts business world at odds with Trump

WASHINGTON: Captains of industry and business groups distanced themselves from the White House on Friday, as many expressed frustration with President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord.

The reactions from across the business world — including oil producers, the tech sector and finance — stood apart from Trump’s portrayal of the decision as a needed corrective to rules that could stymie commerce.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger said they would leave White House advisory councils. Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed disappointment and said in an email to employees he had spoken with Trump to try to persuade him to stay in the Paris accord.

Other tech and industrial sector representatives expressed frustration with the decision and pledged to continue working to combat global warming.

“Disappointed with today’s decision on the Paris Agreement,” Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, tweeted. “Industry must now lead and not depend on government.”

In his first ever tweet, Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein called the decision a “setback” for the environment and for US global leadership.

Oil supermajors ExxonMobil and Chevron reiterated their support for the agreement, and automaker General Motors said the decision would not lessen its resolve on the climate.