Speaking from the Rose Garden at the White House Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump officially pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
"In order to
fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States
will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord," Trump said to applause,
adding the U.S. is open to renegotiating another deal. "We will begin
negotiations to re-enter either the Paris Accord, or an entirely new
agreement."
"I will work to
ensure America remains the world’s leader on environmental issues, but under a
framework that is fair," he continued. "The agreement is a massive
redistribution of United States wealth to other countries."
Bolstering his America
first message, the President cited the agreement's burden on American jobs and
energy as reason for leaving.
"No responsible
leader can put the workers and the people of their country at this debilitating
and tremendous disadvantage," Trump said. "Withdrawing is in economic
interest and won't matter much to the climate."
"By his action
today, President Trump is choosing to put the forgotten men and women of
America first," Vice President Mike Pence said.
The President tried to
assure critics his administration will work to protect the environment while
also protecting the economy.
"We will be
environmentally friendly, but we're not going to put our businesses out of
work," Trump said.
Before the announcement,
the White House told reporters the deal was unfair to American industry and
workers while giving China an economic advantage. They also argued the
agreement was pushed through by a desperate Obama administration without proper
negotiation.
Pulling out of the
agreement fulfills President Trump's campaign promise to do so.
"I was elected by
voters of Pittsburgh, not Paris. I promised I would exit or renegotiate any
deal which fails to serve US interests," Trump said.
