Grumet: Paris Decision Has Troubling, Far-Reaching Implications

Washington, D.C.– Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet released the following statement on President Trump’s announcement that the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement:

“Withdrawing from the Paris agreement will needlessly undermine U.S. relations with our allies and undercut international efforts to address climate change. Nearly 200 other nations will move forward with this agreement regardless of our participation. By exiting the process, President Trump forfeits America’s opportunity to shape the global economic transition that is already underway.

Withdrawing from the Paris agreement will needlessly undermine U.S. relations with our allies and undercut international efforts to address climate change.

“A majority of U.S. business leaders have called for America to remain in this agreement, as have many current and former elected leaders from both parties. President Trump has rightly asserted that the United States cannot be expected to act alone on climate change. It is hard to square this appreciation for collective action with the decision to isolate U.S. interests from one of the dominant issues motivating global collaboration.

“Protecting American interests in a complex, connected, and unfortunately dangerous world requires partnerships and reciprocity. This decision has troubling implications far beyond the climate issue.”