Economy over Earth

President Donald Trump is being criticized by major global powers from Europe to South America for its decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

Trump quits the deal, blames India and China

Trump confirmed his decision to withdraw US from the Paris climate agreement, in spite of being the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter.  It would join Syria and Nicaragua, the only two countries who are not a party to the agreement. Trump said that the agreement was not a fair deal as it allowed countries like India and China get an unfair advantage. According to Trump, India was getting billions of foreign aid to conform to the deal and that the accord would allow India and other European nations to double its coal production by 2020. While China on the other hand who is the largest carbon emitter and has been a party to the agreement is a hoax.

Trump believes that the climate deal was a great financial disadvantage for the US as other countries receive aids from them, hence it was not monetarily beneficial as it has led to many job loss in the country. Trump said that America is committed to protecting the environment but the onus had to be borne by all participating countries equally.

US is willing to work with democrat leaders to re-enter the Paris agreement on terms that are justified to the US. However, the major stakeholders in the deal-China, Germany, France and Australia have already said that there is no opportunity for the US coming back to the deal.

North Korea accuses Trump of being ‘selfish’

North Korea has been blaming US for being selfish and accommodating its interest with the whole earth at the stake. According to North Korea Trump’s move to withdraw from the pact represents egoism and moral vacuum seeking only its wellbeing at the cost of the entire planet. This act of the US would lead to grave consequences for the international efforts taken by other countries to protect the environment and might also dissuade them due to failure of achieving the goals. North Korea has also linked US climate policy to its reckless actions against North Korea’s nuclear program.

Assessment

Trump’s decision to quit the Paris agreement has got it a lot of criticism from the international community. This is likely to bring the US to a low profile in dealing with the climate issues. He is the leader of a super power nation and his decisions are likely to affect many other countries. However, he is seen taking decisions as a business tycoon where he is more concerned about the US economy than decisions having adverse effects on the world community.

US blaming other countries like China and India for global warming who have remained committed to the deal could get him to bad terms and more criticism from other nations. Also, at this time China is seen investing in clean technology that would help it generate more allies and emerge as the new super power especially at this time when US is being criticized for its decisions.