Trump on Paris accord: ‘We’re getting out’

President Donald Trump proclaimed Thursday he was withdrawing the US from the Paris climate accord, a sweeping step that fulfills a campaign promise while acutely dampening global efforts to curb global warming.

Speaking from the White House, Trump said he was open to renegotiating aspects of the agreement, which was inked under his predecessor and which all nations except two have signed onto.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU, 2.f.r.) pictured outside the new NATO'headquarters beside US'President Donald Trump (l), during the NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium, 25 May 2017. Photo by: Kay Nietfeld/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Related article Trump and Europe don't mix, and that will have lasting consequences

But he was withering in his criticism of the pact, which he cast as a humiliating defeat for American workers that unfairly advantaged foreign countries.

“At what point does America get demeaned? At what point do they start laughing at us as a country?” Trump inquired during an afternoon event held in a sun-drenched Rose Garden.

“We want fair treatment,” Trump said. “We don’t want other countries and other leaders to laugh at us anymore.”

The decision amounts to a rebuttal of the worldwide effort to pressure Trump to remain a part of the agreement, which 195 nations signed onto. Foreign leaders, business executives and Trump’s own daughter, Ivanka, lobbied heavily for him to remain a part of the deal, but ultimately lost out to conservatives who claim the plan is bad for the United States.

Trump, who has governed with an “American First” policy, said Thursday he was carrying out the will of the voters who propelled him to the White House.

“I was elected by the citizens of Pittsburgh,” Trump said, “not Paris.”

- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/170601091312-02-donald-trump-0531.jpg?q=x_1031,y_88,h_971,w_1725,c_crop/h_540,w_960" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/170601091312-02-donald-trump-0531.jpg?q=x_1031,y_88,h_971,w_1725,c_crop/h_540,w_960" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html=" Newsroom " data-byline-html="

" data-timestamp-html="

Updated 1:52 AM EDT, Fri June 2, 2017

" data-check-event-based-preview="" data-is-vertical-video-embed="false" data-network-id="" data-publish-date="2017-06-01T18:53:32Z" data-video-section="politics" data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/06/01/trump-paris-climate-decision-acosta-nr.cnn" data-branding-key="" data-video-slug="trump paris climate decision acosta nr" data-first-publish-slug="trump paris climate decision acosta nr" data-video-tags="business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,climate change,donald trump,energy and environment,energy and utilities,environment and natural resources,environmental regulation and policy,europe,france,government and public administration,government bodies and offices,jim acosta,paris,paris climate agreement,political figures - us,politics,us congress,us federal government,western europe,white house" data-details="">

Video Ad Feedback

White House: Trump ditching Paris climate deal

01:38 - Source: CNN

Lengthy process

In triggering the official withdrawal procedures, Trump has sparked a lengthy process that won’t conclude until November 2020 – the same month he’s up for reelection, ensuring the issue becomes a major topic of debate in the next presidential contest.

In his remarks, Trump said he was open to re-brokering US carbon reduction commitments, but didn’t express any urgency in bringing the US back into the deal, which he claimed placed “draconian” financial burdens on the American people.

“We’re getting out,” he said. “And we will start to renegotiate and we’ll see if there’s a better deal. If we can, great. If we can’t, that’s fine.”

Afterward, the leaders of France, Italy and Germany indicated in a joint statement that the US could not unilaterally renegotiate the agreement. The UN body that facilitated the deal said it “cannot be renegotiated based on the request of a single party.”

Briefing reporters, White House officials would not specify what parameters would be acceptable to Trump in a new accord.

“When we talk about what a better deal looks like, that’s up to the President,” said one White House aide.

Trump said his announcement would end the implementation of carbon reduction targets set under Obama, which aimed to reduce emissions by 26-28% in a decade. Trump also declared the US would stall all contributions to the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund, which Trump said was “costing the United States a fortune.”

“As someone who cares deeply about our environment, I cannot in good conscience support a deal which punishes the United States,” he said. “The Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States.”

The President campaigned ardently against the climate agreement last year as a candidate, vowing to “cancel” the accord. Those close to him said he was insistent upon fulfilling his promises, despite urging from some members of his own administration to remain in the agreement.

A person familiar with Trump’s thinking said the President was convinced he needed to withdraw from the pact, and there was little chance of talking him out of it.

Opponents of the move say it threatens to isolate the United States in a global effort to curb the warming of the planet, and leaves an opening for countries like China to fill the leadership void.

Director of National Intelligence —

Vice President Mike Pence, right, administers the oath of office to Dan Coats, the new director of national intelligence, on Thursday, March 16. Coats was accompanied by his wife, Marsha. He was confirmed by the Senate the day before.

Director of National Intelligence —

Coats speaks on Capitol Hill before his confirmation hearing in February. The former US senator from Indiana was the US ambassador to Germany in the first term of George W. Bush's administration.

Secretary of Energy —

New Energy Secretary Rick Perry speaks at his swearing-in ceremony in Washington on Thursday, March 2. The former Texas governor was confirmed by a Senate vote of 62-37.

Secretary of Energy —

Perry is sworn in before his confirmation hearing in January. During his testimony, Perry cast himself as an advocate for a range of energy sources, noting that he presided over the nation's leading energy-producing state. He also said he regrets once calling for the Energy Department's elimination.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development —

Ben Carson is joined by his wife, Candy, and his granddaughter Tesora as he is sworn in as the secretary of housing and urban development on March 2. The renowned neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate was confirmed by a vote of 58-41.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development —

Carson greets Tesora prior to testifying before the Senate Committee of Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs in January. In his opening statement, he noted that he was raised by a single mother who had a "third-grade education" and made the case that he understands the issues facing the millions of people who rely on HUD programs.

Secretary of the Interior —

New Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signs an official document after he was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, March 1. The former congressman from Montana was joined by his wife, Lolita, as well as Vice President Mike Pence, US Sen. Steve Daines and Montana Attorney General Tim Fox.

Secretary of the Interior —

Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, is sworn in before his confirmation hearing in January. He pledged to review Obama administration actions that limit oil and gas drilling in Alaska, and he said he does not believe climate change is a hoax.

Secretary of Commerce —

Pence swears in new Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross as Ross' wife, Hilary, stands by on Tuesday, February 28. The billionaire was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 72-27.

Secretary of Commerce —

Ross, center, waits to be introduced by US Sen. Marco Rubio, right, at his confirmation hearing in January. At the hearing, Ross said he wants countries that resort to "malicious" trading tactics to be "severely" punished. He pointed the finger at China, which he called "the most protectionist country of very large countries."

Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency —

Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito swears in Scott Pruitt as the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday, February 17. Holding the Bible is Pruitt's wife, Marlyn, and they were joined by their son, Cade. Pruitt, the former attorney general of Oklahoma, was confirmed by the Senate 52-46.

Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency —

Pruitt testifies at his confirmation hearing in January. Pruitt said he doesn't believe climate change is a hoax, but he didn't indicate he would take swift action to address environmental issues that may contribute to climate change. He said there is still debate over how to respond.

Director, Office of Management and Budget —

Pence shakes hands with Mick Mulvaney after swearing him in as the new director of the Office of Management and Budget on Thursday, February 16. Mulvaney's wife, Pam, looks on. Mulvaney had been a congressman since 2011.

Director, Office of Management and Budget —

Mulvaney testifies before the Senate Budget Committee in January. He didn't back off his views that entitlement programs need revamping to survive -- and he didn't back away from some of his past statements on the matter. President Donald Trump, during his campaign, pledged not to touch Social Security or Medicare.

Administrator, Small Business Administration —

Linda McMahon is joined by her six grandchildren as she is sworn in as chief of the Small Business Administration on Tuesday, February 14. McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, was confirmed by a vote of 81-19.

Administrator, Small Business Administration —

McMahon speaks during her confirmation hearing. She stepped down from her WWE duties in 2009 and ran for the Senate in 2010 and 2012.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs —

Pence watches David Shulkin, the new secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department, speak at his swearing-in ceremony on February 14. Shulkin was confirmed by a unanimous vote in the Senate.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs —

Shulkin speaks at his confirmation hearing. He was the VA's undersecretary for health, a position in which he oversaw more than 1,700 health care sites across the United States.

Secretary of the Treasury —

Trump watches as Steven Mnuchin is sworn in as treasury secretary on Monday, February 13. The Senate vote was 53-47, mostly along party lines.

Secretary of the Treasury —

Mnuchin arrives for his confirmation hearing in January. Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker, faced policy questions about taxes, the debt ceiling and banking regulation.

Secretary of Health and Human Services —

Pence shakes hands with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price -- who was accompanied by his wife, Betty -- after a swearing-in ceremony on Friday, February 10. Price, a former congressman from Georgia, was confirmed 52-47 in a middle-of-the-night vote along party lines.

Secretary of Health and Human Services —

Price testifies at his confirmation hearing in January. Price confronted accusations of investing in companies related to his legislative work in Congress -- and in some cases, repealing financial benefits from those investments. Price firmly denied any wrongdoing and insisted that he has taken steps to avoid any conflicts of interests.

Attorney General —

Trump watches as Pence administers the oath of office to Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the White House Oval Office on Thursday, February 9. Sessions, one of Trump's closest advisers and his earliest supporter in the Senate, was confirmed by a 52-47 vote that was mostly along party lines. He was accompanied to the swearing-in by his wife, Mary.

Attorney General —

In his wide-ranging confirmation hearing, Sessions pledged to recuse himself from all investigations involving Hillary Clinton based on inflammatory comments he made during a "contentious" campaign season. He also defended his views of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion, saying he doesn't agree with it but would respect it.

Secretary of Education —

Pence swears in Education Secretary Betsy DeVos next to her husband, Dick, on Tuesday, February 7. Pence cast a historic tie-breaking vote to confirm DeVos after the Senate was divided 50-50.

Secretary of Education —

DeVos, a top Republican donor and school-choice activist, prepares to testify at her confirmation hearing in January. DeVos stood firm in her long-held beliefs that parents -- not the government -- should be able to choose where to send children to school, pledging to push voucher programs if she was confirmed.

Secretary of State —

Trump watches as Pence swears in Rex Tillerson as secretary of state on Wednesday, February 1. Tillerson's wife, Renda St. Clair, holds the Bible. Tillerson, a former CEO of ExxonMobil, was confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 56 to 43.

Secretary of State —

Tillerson testifies during his confirmation hearing in Washington. He drew a sharp line between his views and those of his future boss, denouncing Russian aggression in cyberspace and in Ukraine.

Secretary of Transportation —

Elaine Chao, Trump's pick for transportation secretary, signs the affidavit of appointment during her swearing-in ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, January 31. Chao is joined, from left, by Pence; her father, James Chao; and her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Secretary of Transportation —

Chao testifies at her confirmation hearing in January. Chao, who was approved by a 93-6 vote, was deputy secretary of transportation under George H.W. Bush and labor secretary under George W. Bush.

UN Ambassador —

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley takes the oath of office as she becomes the US Ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday, January 25. She is joined by US Sen. Marco Rubio and staffer Rebecca Schimsa as she is sworn in by the vice president.

UN Ambassador —

During her confirmation hearing, Haley rapped the UN for its treatment of Israel and indicated that she thinks the US should reconsider its contribution of 22% of the annual budget. "The UN and its specialized agencies have had numerous successes," Haley said. "However, any honest assessment also finds an institution that is often at odds with American national interests and American taxpayers. ... I will take an outsider's look at the institution."

CIA Director —

Mike Pompeo is joined by his wife, Susan, as he is sworn in as CIA director on Monday, January 23. Pompeo, who is vacating his seat in the US House, was confirmed by the Senate in a 66-32 vote.

CIA Director —

Pompeo is sworn in at his confirmation hearing. Along with Russia, Pompeo said other global threats include Iran's growing influence in the Middle East, ISIS' grip over major urban areas, and the conflict in Syria.

Secretary of Defense —

Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, President Trump's pick for defense secretary, is sworn in after being confirmed by a 98-1 vote on Friday, January 20.

Secretary of Defense —

Mattis testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He emerged from his confirmation hearing with broad support after he took a strong posture against Russian President Vladimir Putin and answered tough questions on women and gays in combat.

Secretary of Homeland Security —

Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly signs his confirmation letter on January 20. He is joined by his wife, Karen.

Secretary of Homeland Security —

Kelly testifies at his hearing. He was previously the head of US Southern Command, which is responsible for all military activities in South America and Central America.

Trump's nominees and their confirmation hearings

Prev Next

Uncertainty loomed

Trump’s announcement Thursday ends months of speculation about his intentions. The uncertainty over Trump’s decision lent the Rose Garden announcement a reality show-like air, with Thursday’s unveiling acting as a finale to a months-long debate that has split members of the President’s inner circle and led to deep consternation from global allies.

The show-like atmosphere was fueled by the presence of a jazz band, which performed a series of numbers before Trump emerged from the Oval Office to deliver his statement.

The announcement concluded a long and bitter dispute among West Wing aides to sway Trump’s thinking. Ivanka Trump had worked to ensure her father heard pro-Paris voices over the last several months, and even in recent days continued to press for a decision short of a full withdrawal.

Ivanka Trump and her allies, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Trump’s chief economist Gary Cohn, pressed Trump to alter the US commitments to the Paris agreement without fully pulling out of the accord. Trump was also pressured heavily by his foreign counterparts during last week’s G7 meetings in Sicily to remain in the deal, though his advisers say he felt little obligation to concede to that point of view.

US President Donald Trump exits Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 13, 2017 . / AFP PHOTO / Olivier Douliery (Photo credit should read OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP/Getty Images)

Related article Trump expected to withdraw from Paris climate agreement

In the end, anti-Paris voices, led by chief strategist Steve Bannon and EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, won out, and Trump’s remarks Thursday reflected the nationalist viewpoints espoused by Bannon and his cohorts.

“This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the United States,” Trump said.

Bannon was seated in the front row of the audience during Trump’s remarks, while Pruitt delivered a statement himself after Trump spoke. Ivanka Trump wasn’t not present for the announcement; aides said she was at home celebrating the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/170601103348-fareed-zakaria-5-31.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_1080,w_1919,c_fill/h_540,w_960" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/170601103348-fareed-zakaria-5-31.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_1080,w_1919,c_fill/h_540,w_960" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html=" Don Lemon Tonight " data-byline-html="

" data-timestamp-html="

Updated 1:52 AM EDT, Fri June 2, 2017

" data-check-event-based-preview="" data-is-vertical-video-embed="false" data-network-id="" data-publish-date="2017-06-01T14:36:40Z" data-video-section="politics" data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/06/01/fareed-zakaria-paris-climate-accord-ctn.cnn" data-branding-key="" data-video-slug="fareed zakaria paris climate accord ctn" data-first-publish-slug="fareed zakaria paris climate accord ctn" data-video-tags="business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,climate change,donald trump,energy and environment,energy and utilities,environment and natural resources,fareed zakaria,government and public administration,government bodies and offices,international relations,international relations and national security,political figures - us,treaties and agreements,us federal government,white house" data-details="">

Video Ad Feedback

Zakaria: Trump throwing out US leadership role

01:02 - Source: CNN

Critics pounce

After Trump’s announcement, business leaders, politicians, and foreign heads-of-state began castigating the decision as a woeful abandonment of US leadership.

In a rare statement about current political events, former President Barack Obama, whose administration negotiated the Paris accord, wrote Trump’s decision would leave American workers behind those in countries who remain a part of the agreement.

“The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created,” Obama wrote. “I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack. But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up.”

Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla who encouraged Trump to remain in the Paris agreement, said he would resign from White House business councils as a result of Trump’s decision.

And multiple foreign leaders decried the decision, including in phone calls directly with Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Trump his was disappointed in his decision, according to a statement from his office. French President Emmanuel Macron informed Trump that the Paris accord could not be negotiated, the élysée Palace said.

Meanwhile, China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, has said it will stick by its commitments to the Paris agreement, despite the US moves.

CNN’s Dana Bash contributed to this report.