Trump set to pull out of climate agreement?

Washington, May 31: Donald Trump has decided to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord, the US media reported Wednesday, as the President kept the world guessing — saying an announcement will come in the “next few days”.

An American pullout would deal a devastating blow to global efforts to combat climate change less than 18 months after the historic 196nation pact was signed in Paris, fruit of a hard-fought agreement between Beijing and Washington under Barack Obama’s leadership.

Mr Trump said early Wednesday that an announcement was imminent on whether the US would remain part of the landmark deal on cutting carbon emissions. “I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he tweeted.

Axios website was first to report that Mr Trump’s decision was made, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.

A withdrawal from the Paris climate accord would put US in league with Syria and Nicaragua as the world’s only non-participants

The deal relies heavily on the commitment of big polluter nations to reduce emissions

US is the world’s second-biggest carbon dioxide emitter behind China. Under the pact, US committed to reduce its emissions by 26-28% from 2005 levels by 2025

The Sierra Club said withdrawal from the Paris deal would be a historic mistake

Friends of the Earth said it would make US the world’s foremost climate villain