Translated material
Folding cold numbers
President Donald Trump announced that the United States was leaving the Paris Climate Agreement concluded in 2015, reports Associated Press. This was one of Trump's most important election promises.
“This is an agreement - not so much about the climate as that other countries get an advantage at the expense of the United States,” Trump said, emphasizing that the Paris Agreement leaves “Draconian obligations” on the United States. The president called his decision "confirmation of the sovereignty of America" and emphasized that "he was elected to represent citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris."
Under current terms, the USA could lose 2.7 million jobs by 2025, Trump noted. At the same time, the president said that Washington will begin new negotiations on the conclusion of an agreement on a climate on the basis of more fair and beneficial for the United States.
"To date, the United States will terminate any implementation of the optional paragraphs of the Paris Agreement," Trump said.
The White House emphasized that the United States to carry out all the stipulated procedures for withdrawing from the agreement. In general, the process will take at least three and a half years.
It is noted that Trump personally explained his decision in telephone conversations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Great Britain Teresa May and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The President "assured the leaders that the United States is still committed to transatlantic partnerships and are ready for energetic efforts to protect the environment."
Trump's decision caused sharp criticism. Former President Barack Obama believes that with the exit of the US agreement "they join a small number of countries that reject the future." Obama expressed confidence that "American cities, states and enterprises would fill the void, taking the initiative to protect the climate."
"The US decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is a great disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure global safety," the UN Secretary General Stefan Duzharrik said in a statement.
The issue of the Paris Agreement was discussed by the end of May at the G7 summit in Italy. “Our entire climate discussion was heavy, if not disappointing. It is still unclear whether Washington is going to stay in the Paris Agreement or not,” said Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The climate agreement was prepared in Paris in 2015, and was concluded in April 2016 at the UN headquarters in New York. The document was signed by representatives of more than 170 countries, including the USA, China and Russia. It replaced the Kyoto protocol. By 2025, the Paris Agreement was obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 percent compared to 2005.