President Donald Trump in a speech at Pennsylvania marking his first 100 days in office, said that his administration will take a big decision on Paris climate treaty in next two weeks. He further alleged that while US bears the financial brunt, countries like India, China and Russia have done hardly anything to the Paris accord.
POTUS said, “Our government rushed to join international agreement where the U.S. bears the costs and bears the burden while other countries get the benefit and pay nothing and this includes deals like the one-sided Paris Climate Accord. Where the US pays billions while China, Russia and India have contributed, and will contribute, nothing.”
Trump vowed to withdraw from the Paris treaty during his election campaign, but his administration has been split over the issue. The decision will be out prior to the G-7 summit on May 26-27.
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt and top strategist Steve Bannon are pushing for a pull-out. On the contrary, White House adviser Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson suggest that the US can scale back on the amount of foreign climate assistance pledged, and compel countries like China and India to commit to deeper emissions reductions. Democrats have contended that India’s commitment will breed a huge market for American renewable energy companies.