On January 22, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time, emphasizing a policy aimed at prioritizing American interests. This formal exit is set to occur in one year, echoing his previous withdrawal announced in June 2017, which became official on November 4, 2020 [7140d44b]. In a speech at the Capital One Arena, Trump stated, 'I'm immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off' [3bf03405].
The Paris Agreement, established in 2015, aims to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, a goal that now faces significant challenges due to the U.S.'s exit. Experts warn that this move undermines global climate efforts and could harm the U.S.'s international reputation [7140d44b]. The decision comes amidst reports of 2024 being the warmest year on record, characterized by extreme weather events such as droughts and storms that have intensified across the country [3bf03405]. Environmental groups have condemned Trump's latest move, arguing that it jeopardizes climate governance at a time when the impacts of climate-related disasters are becoming increasingly evident [3bf03405].
In addition to withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, Trump's administration plans to revoke support for electric vehicles and boost oil and gas production, which could hinder U.S. participation in clean energy markets [7140d44b]. This withdrawal process is expected to take one year, likely concluding in January 2026 [3bf03405].
Global reactions to the withdrawal have been swift and critical. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed confidence in local climate actions despite the U.S. decision, while U.N. Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasized the economic benefits of embracing clean energy [7140d44b]. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed concern over the U.S. decision, highlighting the need for global cooperation in tackling climate change [8dd8449a]. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the withdrawal 'unfortunate' but reaffirmed the EU's commitment to climate action [8dd8449a]. Kenyan climate envoy Ali Mohamed stressed the importance of U.S. leadership in climate finance, indicating that the absence of U.S. participation could hinder progress in developing nations [8dd8449a].
Evans Njewa from the Least Developed Countries Group lamented the potential reversal of emission reductions, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham stated that U.S. states will continue climate action despite federal changes [8dd8449a]. Clare Nullis from the World Meteorological Organization noted the significant economic losses the U.S. faces from climate disasters, reinforcing the argument for proactive climate policies [8dd8449a]. Ani Dasgupta from the World Resources Institute criticized the U.S. for losing political influence in green energy, emphasizing the need for a unified global approach [8dd8449a]. Laurence Tubiana, a key architect of the Paris Agreement, remarked on the changed economic context since 2017, suggesting that the U.S. is missing out on new opportunities in the green economy [8dd8449a]. Oxfam America's Abby Maxman warned of the domestic impacts of climate-driven disasters, highlighting the urgency for comprehensive climate strategies [8dd8449a].
As the U.S. embarks on this new chapter in climate policy, the implications of Trump's withdrawal are significant, potentially stalling global efforts to address climate change effectively and raising concerns about the future of international climate agreements [94201fd0]. States like California and New York remain committed to Paris goals, indicating that while federal policy may shift, local initiatives may continue to push for climate action [034c697a].