May 27 (UPI) — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will hold off on a decision regarding the U.S. participation in the 195 nation Paris climate change agreement.
Group of 7 leaders will remain deadlocked after Trump tweeted, “I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!” The position makes the United States the lone holdout on endorsing the agreement during the G7 summit in Italy. Trump has said he would give world leaders the chance to make their case for the accord.
In its final communique, G7 leaders said U.S. officials are “in the process of reviewing its policies on climate change and on the Paris Agreement and thus is not in a position to join the consensus on these topics.”
“Understanding this process, the Heads of State and of Government of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom and the Presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission reaffirm their strong commitment to swiftly implement the Paris Agreement, as previously stated at the Ise-Shima Summit,” the communique said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters Saturday, “The whole discussion about climate has been difficult. There is right now no agreement. But we have made very clear that we are not moving away from our positions.”
Trump has previously expressed skepticism about climate change. But the White House said Friday that Trump’s view on the topic is “evolving” after hearing other views during the summit.
“He came here to learn, he came here to get smarter and he came here to hear people’s views.” Trump’s National Economic Counselor Gary Cohn said. “His basis for decision ultimately is going to be what’s best for the United States.”
