Today, President Donald Trump made the controversial decision for the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Included within his heavily scrutinized remarks was Trump’s blustery assertion that America was a laughingstock on the world stage for initially participating in this environmentally-minded initiative. Following Trump’s speech, the international community swung back at Trump’s reasoning, his “America First” viewpoint and his lack of cooperation.
French President Emmanuel Macron took his handshaking rival to task for dismissing the call for a worldwide effort to combat climate issues. (Syria is the only other holdout, aside from Nicaragua who deems the accord not proactive enough.) He also accompanied his message with revamp of Trump’s go-to slogan.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 1, 2017
“To all scientists, engineers, engineers, entrepreneurs, responsible citizens who were disappointed by the decision of the United States, I want to say that they will find in France a second homeland,” said Macron on the U.S. rejecting the accord. “I call on them: Come and work here with us — to work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment. I can assure you, France will not give up the fight.”
Macron was far from the only world leader expressing frustration with Trump’s actions. A joint statement between France, Italy and Germany stressed that Trump’s talk of renegotiating or creating a new deal was not going to be in their plans. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his nation is “deeply disappointed” with their neighbor’s decision and Belgian PM Charles Michel slammed Trump for having committed a “brutal act.”
I condemn this brutal act against #ParisAccord @realDonaldTrump Leadership means fighting climate change together. Not forsaking commitment.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) June 1, 2017
In a stark contrast to Trump’s remarks about how withdrawing from the accord would be a positive “America First” development and protect jobs, numerous high profile business figures have publicly slammed the move. Tesla founder Elon Musk and Disney chief exec Bob Iger declared they would no longer participate on President Trump’s advisory council because of the withdrawal.
Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017
As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal.
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) June 1, 2017
Microsoft, General Electric, Shell, Cargill and Twitter were also among the voices labeling Thursday’s rejection of the environmental agreement as disappointing.
Criticism of Trump’s attitude on climate change is certainly nothing new. Trump had infamously stated that he believed climate change was a hoax invented by the Chinese to hurt America. (He’s since denied making that claim, but the internet never forgets.) Thursday’s withdrawal does zero favors for the president’s image in the international community and now the globe will prepare for what comes next.
(Via Time & New York Times)