Trump Repeats History: U.S. to Withdraw from Paris Climate Accord, Igniting Global Concerns

January 27, 2025 – In a significant move that has reignited debates over U.S. climate policy, President Donald Trump announced on January 20, 2025, that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.

This decision comes on the heels of his inauguration for a second term and mirrors his previous withdrawal announcement made in 2017.

During a ceremony at the Capital One Arena, Trump signed an executive order titled Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements, which initiates the formal withdrawal process.

He described the Paris Agreement as unfair and one-sided, asserting that it imposes disproportionate burdens on the U.S. economy while allowing other major polluters like China to operate without similar constraints.

I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Accords, Trump declared to an enthusiastic crowd, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to prioritizing American industries over international climate commitments.

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. With the U.S. being one of the largest carbon emitters historically, its withdrawal is expected to have significant repercussions for global climate action efforts.

Experts warn that this move could isolate the U.S. from international negotiations and diminish its influence in emerging clean energy markets.

Laurence Tubiana, a key figure in the creation of the Paris Agreement, expressed regret over the decision but noted that global efforts to combat climate change are more robust than any single nation’s policies. “The momentum towards a global transition is unstoppable, she stated.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates and political leaders across the spectrum. Gina McCarthy, former White House climate advisor, emphasized that U.S. leadership is crucial for influencing global investments and policies related to climate change.

We must continue to exhibit leadership on the global stage if we wish to influence how trillions of dollars in investments are determined,” she said.

The withdrawal process will officially take one year following notification to the United Nations, making the U.S. one of only four countries outside the Paris Agreement alongside Iran, Libya, and Yemen.

As Trump’s administration moves forward with this directive, it is also expected to roll back several Biden-era climate initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord marks a pivotal moment in U.S. environmental policy and raises concerns about the future of international cooperation in addressing climate change.

As debates continue over the implications of this move, many are left wondering how it will affect both domestic policies and global efforts to combat climate change in an increasingly warming world.