Trump, drawing on the "America First" message he utilized during his presidential campaign, stated that the Paris agreement would harm the US economy, result in job losses, diminish American sovereignty, and place the country at a lasting disadvantage compared to other nations. Speaking during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on a sunny June day, Trump confirmed his decision to withdraw from the agreement, fulfilling a key campaign promise. Trump emphasized that he does not want other countries to mock the US any longer, and asserted that those urging the US to remain in the agreement are the same nations that have cost America trillions of dollars through unfair trade practices and inadequate contributions to military alliances. Republican leaders in the US Congress have expressed their support for President Trump's decision. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Trump for weakening the Obama administration's policies on energy production and job creation. On the other hand, supporters of the agreement, including prominent American business leaders, criticized Trump's move as hindering global efforts to address the threats of climate change. Former Democratic President Barack Obama voiced his disappointment over the US withdrawal from the deal he helped negotiate, but remained optimistic that states, cities, and businesses would continue to take action to protect 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 create a new agreement that is more favorable to the United States. He specifically criticized China's terms in the agreement. Global leaders responded with dismay and frustration, with one leader expressing disappointment in Trump's decision. Japanese Environment Minister Koichi Yamamoto expressed his anger during a news conference on Friday, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni released a joint statement stating that the climate agreement could not be renegotiated. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the disappointment of the US decision, but also noted the increasing global efforts to combat climate change. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top European Union officials issued a joint statement committing to the full implementation of the Paris accord during a summit in Brussels on Friday, marking the first time China and the EU have issued a joint statement. Premier Li reaffirmed China's commitment to fighting climate change during a speech in Berlin the day before. Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich stated that the decision to join the accord was made and he does not believe it will be changed. In India, a top advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed commitment to transitioning to renewable energy sources despite the country's rapid economic growth and increasing pollution levels. Arvind Panagariya emphasized the prime minister's strong interest in this transition. The United States' withdrawal from the accord leaves it isolated, with only Syria and Nicaragua also not participating in the agreement signed by 195 nations in Paris in 2015. Fiji's Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, who will soon lead the UN Climate Change Conferences that formalized the 2015 pact, expressed disappointment in Trump's decision. Fiji, along with other small island nations, is considered highly susceptible to the effects of global warming and potential rising ocean levels due to melting polar ice. American business leaders, including Goldman Sachs Group Inc CEO Lloyd Blankfein, criticized the Trump administration for its decision, calling it a setback for the environment and for the country's global leadership. Following Trump's move, Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk and Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger announced they would step down from White House advisory councils. Rich and poor countries came together under the Paris accord to pledge reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, which are linked to global warming. President Trump stated that he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris, prompting a response from the city's mayor, Bill Peduto, who pointed out that Pittsburgh supported the accord. The UN Secretary-General's spokesperson expressed disappointment at the decision, and the UN body in charge of climate negotiations stated that the agreement could not be renegotiated at the request of one country. 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 the agreement. South Korea's foreign ministry also expressed regret over the US withdrawal, stating that it would undermine international efforts to address climate change. Trump's decision to stop payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps developing nations deal with climate change impacts, was described as causing devastating harm. The White House stated it would adhere to UN rules for withdrawing from the pact, which require waiting three years from the pact's legal force date of Nov. 4, 2016 before officially seeking to leave. The nation will need to wait another year as a result. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, shared his disappointment by mentioning in an email to employees that he had a conversation with Trump on Tuesday in an attempt to convince him to remain in the Paris agreement. Cook mentioned that his efforts were not successful. Various business executives cautioned that the US economy would lose its technological edge. Jeff Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, expressed his disappointment and emphasized the reality of climate change. The industry should take the lead instead of relying on the government, according to Democrats who criticized Trump for his decision. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the decision as one of the worst policy moves in the 21st century, citing its detrimental effects on the economy, environment, and geopolitical standing. The United States had previously committed to reducing emissions by 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. The US is responsible for more than 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, trailing only behind 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 shortages, and global tensions over how to address these challenges. Last year marked the warmest on record since the 19th Century, with rising global temperatures attributed to greenhouse gases. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute in Seoul, expressed concerns about a decrease in international funding for climate change initiatives, noting a $1 billion reduction in US contributions to the Green Climate Fund in South Korea. Economists also warned that the US withdrawal from such funding could have negative impacts on American jobs. 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 stated that if the US scales back its climate agenda, it risks falling behind other global players like Europe and China in the transition to clean energy and job creation to combat climate change.