The world's attempts to fight climate change could receive a very significant blow if the second time elected US President Donald Trump again withdraws his country from the Paris climate agreement.
This was said by EU climate change commissioner Vopke Hoekstra in an interview with Reuters.
According to the publication, Trump's transition team has prepared an order to withdraw the United States, which is now the world's second largest polluter after China, from the main global climate change treaty.
According to Vopke Hoekstra, if this happens, it will be a major blow to international climate diplomacy. He is convinced that other countries would then be forced to “double down on climate policy” in response.
Reuters emphasized that the US plays a central role in UN climate change talks, including through its cooperation with China, the world's biggest polluter and second-largest economy.
Analysts expect changes in U.S. climate policy after Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Such predictions are based in part on the fact that he withdrew from the Paris Agreement during his first term from 2017 to 2021. Also last month, Trump warned the EU that it must buy more U.S. oil and gas or face higher tariffs.
At the same time, Hoekstra said the EU would “engage constructively” with the new US administration on climate change. He said the European Commission is trying to reach out to U.S. partners across the political spectrum, including at the non-federal level. European policymakers are hoping for further cooperation with the U.S. in the fight against climate change.
Earlier EcoPolitic reported on significant changes in the US environmental policy, which, according to media reports, are being prepared by Donald Trump's team.
