Trump, utilizing the "America First" message that helped him win the presidency, stated that the Paris accord would harm the US economy, lead to job losses, diminish American sovereignty, and put the country at a lasting disadvantage compared to other nations. Trump made the announcement during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on a sunny June day, fulfilling a key promise from his campaign. He emphasized that he did not want other countries to mock the US, and he criticized the nations urging the US to remain in the agreement for their trade practices and insufficient contributions to the military alliance. Republican US congressional leaders have expressed their support for Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Trump for his actions, stating that it was a significant blow to the Obama administration's efforts to restrict domestic energy production. On the other hand, supporters of the agreement, including prominent US business figures, criticized Trump's move as hindering global efforts to address the threats of climate change. Former President Barack Obama, who played a key role in negotiating the deal, expressed disappointment over the US withdrawal. Despite this setback, Obama expressed confidence in the ability of states, cities, and businesses to take the lead in protecting the planet for future generations. Trump, who has previously dismissed climate change as a hoax, announced that his administration would start discussions to rejoin the Paris agreement or negotiate a new deal that is favorable to the United States. He expressed concerns about China's terms in the agreement. Global leaders responded with disappointment and frustration, with one leader expressing disappointment in Trump's decision. Japanese Environment Minister Koichi Yamamoto expressed his anger during a news conference, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni issued a joint statement emphasizing that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated and urging allies to accelerate efforts to combat climate change. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted the global momentum to address climate change despite the US decision, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang affirmed China's commitment to fighting climate change during a summit with European Union officials in Brussels. This summit resulted in the first ever joint statement between China and the EU, committing both parties to fully implementing the Paris accord. Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich stated that the decision to join would not be changed. India, a rapidly growing economy and significant contributor to pollution, has expressed intentions to transition to renewable energy sources despite the Paris accord. Arvind Panagariya, a top advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, confirmed the prime minister's strong interest in this transition. With Trump's decision, the United States will be isolated from nearly every other country on a major global issue of the 21st century. Only Syria and Nicaragua are the other countries not participating in the Paris accord, which was signed by 195 nations in 2015. Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who will soon lead the UN Climate Change Conferences that finalized the 2015 pact, expressed disappointment over Trump's decision. Many small island nations, including Fiji, are at high risk from global warming and potential sea level rise due to melting polar ice. US business leaders, such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein, criticized the Trump administration's decision, calling it a setback for the environment and US leadership globally. Following Trump's move, Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk and Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger announced they would be leaving White House advisory councils. The Paris accord, a long-awaited agreement between rich and poor countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, was dismissed by President Trump who preferred to represent Pittsburgh over Paris. However, Pittsburgh's mayor, Bill Peduto, pointed out that the city has actually supported the accord despite its industrial background. The UN Secretary-General's spokesman expressed disappointment at the decision, and the UN body responsible for climate negotiations stated that the accord could not be renegotiated at the request of one nation. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull expressed disappointment but not surprise at the US decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord during a speech in Singapore on Friday. He reiterated Australia's commitment to upholding their Paris commitments. South Korea's foreign ministry also expressed regret over the US withdrawal, stating that it would undermine international efforts to address climate change. Trump announced that the US would cease payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps developing nations cope with the effects of climate change. The White House confirmed that they would adhere to UN rules, which require a three-year waiting period before formally leaving the pact. The nation will need to wait another year as a result. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, shared his disappointment, mentioning in an email to employees that he had talked with Trump on Tuesday in an attempt to convince him to remain in the Paris agreement. Cook stated that his efforts were not successful. Various other corporate leaders cautioned that the American economy would lose its technological edge. Jeff Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, expressed disappointment as well, emphasizing that climate change is a genuine issue. The industry needs to take the lead instead of relying on the government. Democrats criticized Trump's decision, with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer calling it one of the worst policy decisions of the 21st century due to its negative impact on the economy, environment, and geopolitical standing. The US had previously committed to reducing emissions by 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025, as it is responsible for over 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to China. Prominent climate scientists have stated that greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warmer planet, rising sea levels, increased droughts, and more frequent violent storms. A recent report titled "Global Trends" from the US Director of National Intelligence's office highlighted the security risks posed by climate change, including extreme weather events, water and food scarcity, and global tensions over managing these changes. Last year marked the warmest on record since the 19th Century, with global temperatures continuing to rise due to greenhouse gases. There are concerns that international funding for climate change mitigation efforts may decrease, as seen with a $1 billion reduction in US funding for the Green Climate Fund in South Korea. Economists also warn of potential job losses in the US as a result of the country's withdrawal from climate change initiatives. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), both China and the EU have more workers in the renewable energy sector than the United States. Peter Kiernan of the Economist Intelligence Unit believes that if the US scales back its climate agenda, it will fall behind countries like Europe and China in the transition to clean energy and job creation to combat climate change.