WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had decided to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact to fight climate change.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement fulfilled a campaign promise, but was soon met with widespread opposition at home.
The U.S. will cease honoring the nonbinding deal "as of today," Trump said at a press conference in the White House Rose Garden, adding that his administration would also cease implementation of the "draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country."
Calling the Paris Agreement "hamstrings" the United States while "empowers" other countries, Trump said the U.S. would begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement.
However, Trump indicated that re-entry may not be a top priority for his administration.
"If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine," said Trump, adding that the new agreement must ensure "fair" treatment to the United States, its business, its workers, and its taxpayers.
Governor of California Jerry Brown vowed to resist withdrawal from the Paris accord.
"California will resist this misguided and insane course of action," said Brown in a statement released before Trump finished his speech. (Xinhua)