The United States has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement for the second time during Donald Trump’s presidency, renewing international fears for coordinated global efforts against Climate Change.
This withdrawal takes effect today, one year after President Trump ordered the US to leave the Paris Agreement, a decision he cited as being based on his personal opinion (not a scientific one) that Climate Change is a “Con Job.”
With the US withdrawal, the US is now one of four countries outside the Paris Agreement, with Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the remaining three countries.
This is not the first time the US has left the Paris Agreement. The Trump Administration’s first withdrawal occurred during its first term. The US rejoined the Paris Agreement under Joe Biden’s administration; however, this second withdrawal has been the culmination of a broader change in US climate and energy policy.
Sharp Turn Toward Fossil Fuels
The Trump Administration has rolled back climate regulations, expedited the approval processes for oil drilling and coal power plants, and has reduced funding for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and wind energy projects. The Trump administration argued that cheaper fossil fuel energy is essential to drive economic growth and supply the rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centres.
The administration has taken further steps not only to exit from the Paris Agreement framework; it has also retreated from participating in UN climate negotiations; it has delayed efforts to reduce emissions from international shipping; and it has promoted trade agreements that facilitate countries purchasing U.S. oil and gas. Washington has resumed support for an increase in Venezuelan oil exports, in response to political changes in Venezuela.
The White House has called attention to increased U.S. oil production in 2025 and predicted a dramatic increase in natural gas exports by the close of this decade as evidence of successful energy policies.
The Impact of Increasing Emissions and Costs
Climate experts warn that the effects of these policies could counteract many years of progress toward reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Analyses by organizations like the Rhodium Group and the Princeton-led REPEAT project indicate that emissions reductions from the U.S. will likely not slow down until after 2030.
Already, we are beginning to see the consequences of these policies. In 2024, there were 27 weather- and climate-related disasters in the U.S.; each caused over $1 billion in damage, as reported by NOAA. Scientists attribute the intensifying of these events to climate change and indicate that if no action is taken, the people and economies affected by such disasters will suffer even more severe due to climate change.
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The global ripple effect
Experts believe USA’s exit from the Paris Agreement will not stop the transition to global clean energy, the rapid growth of renewable energy sources around the globe will continue, as they are now the cheapest type of newly created power in many areas. Nevertheless, they warn that USPresident Trump’s exit from the Paris Agreement has lessened the political will for this transition and created distrust.
“The genuine economy now is moving in the direction of clean energy; however, international treaties have importance, in that they establish the expectation and create the ambition for a clean energy economy,” according to Sue Biniaz, former US Deputy Climate Envoy.
Additionally, there is concern that the USA’s lack of commitment will encourage other countries to slow their efforts to combat climate change as well as to reduce financial assistance to less wealthy countries trying to transition from fossil fuel to clean energy sources.
A test of credibility for the United States
Some believe that by exiting the Agreement again, the USA may lose its status as a credible partner for the resolution of significant global issues and particularly wrong culpability at a time when we are experiencing record temperature, unprecedented weather events, and significant economic loss due to climate-related problems.
At present, the world’s largest economy has turned its back on the central global climate agreement, leaving its allies, competition, and vulnerable nations wondering what to do next to combat a planet in crisis.
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