EU calls Trump’s Paris agreement withdrawal “highly unfortunate”
The European Union has expressed deep regret over Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, calling it “highly unfortunate.” The move, announced shortly after Trump’s inauguration, marks the second time his administration exits the global climate pact aimed at curbing global warming.
A critical step backward
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of the agreement at the World Economic Forum in Davos. She described it as “humanity’s best hope” for combating climate change. Von der Leyen urged global leaders to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions, citing the rising toll of climate-related disasters.
“The effects of climate change are undeniable—heatwaves in Asia, floods across continents, wildfires, and hurricanes,” she noted, stressing the urgency of international action.
EU leaders condemn U.S. exit
EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra criticized Trump’s withdrawal, lamenting the loss of a key ally in the fight against climate change. “The science is crystal clear, and the Paris Agreement remains a cornerstone for global progress,” Hoekstra stated.
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, echoed this sentiment. He noted that while Trump’s decision is disappointing, the transition to clean energy is “unstoppable,” with over $2 trillion invested globally last year.
A divided political landscape
Trump’s actions have sparked concern within the EU about potential shifts in global climate leadership. Some European politicians warned of internal opposition to the Green Deal, the EU’s flagship climate strategy. Despite these challenges, EU officials reaffirmed their commitment to becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, aims to limit global temperature increases to well below 2°C. With Trump’s withdrawal, the U.S. joins only a few nations outside the pact, raising concerns about its role in global climate initiatives.
