Trump, using the "America First" message that helped him win the presidency, stated that the Paris accord would harm the US economy, lead to job losses, weaken American sovereignty, and put the country at a disadvantage compared to other nations. He made these remarks during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, fulfilling a promise he made during his campaign. Trump emphasized that he did not want other countries to mock the United States, and pointed out that the same nations urging the US to remain in the agreement have cost America trillions of dollars through unfair trade practices and insufficient contributions to military alliances. Republican leaders in the US Congress supported Trump's decision to withdraw from the climate accord. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Trump for his actions, which he believes will help the domestic energy industry and create jobs. On the other hand, supporters of the agreement, including prominent US business leaders, criticized Trump's move as damaging to global efforts to combat 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 remains optimistic that states, cities, and businesses will continue to take action to protect the planet for future generations. Despite previously dismissing climate change as a hoax, Trump announced that his administration would start discussions to rejoin the Paris agreement or create a new deal that benefits the United States. He criticized the terms set by China in the agreement. This decision was met with disappointment and frustration from international leaders, who believed it was a rejection of global cooperation. Japanese Environment Minister Koichi Yamamoto expressed his anger at a news conference, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni issued a joint statement affirming that the climate agreement could not be renegotiated. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged disappointment in the US decision but remained hopeful about global efforts to combat climate change. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang affirmed China's commitment to fighting climate change during a summit with European Union officials in Brussels, resulting in the first-ever joint statement between China and the EU on full implementation of the Paris accord. Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich stated that the decision to join the Paris accord was made and is unlikely to be changed. In India, a top advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed the intention to transition to renewable energy sources despite the US withdrawing from the agreement. The United States will now stand alone, as Syria and Nicaragua are the only other countries not participating in the accord. Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who is set to lead the UN Climate Change Conferences, expressed disappointment over Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 pact. Fiji, along with other small island nations, is considered highly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming and rising sea levels due to melting polar ice. US business leaders criticized the move, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc CEO Lloyd Blankfein calling it a setback for the environment and US leadership. Following Trump's decision, 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-negotiated agreement, involved both wealthy and developing countries pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, which scientists believe contribute to global warming. President Trump stated that he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris, prompting a response from Pittsburgh's mayor, Bill Peduto, who pointed out that the city has supported the Paris accord. The UN Secretary-General's spokesperson expressed disappointment in the decision, while the UN climate negotiation body stated that the accord could not be renegotiated at the request of one country. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull expressed disappointment in the US decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord during a speech in Singapore on Friday. He stated that Australia remains committed to its Paris commitments. South Korea's foreign ministry also expressed regret over the US withdrawal, stating that it will undermine international efforts to combat climate change. Trump announced that the US would stop payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which assists developing nations in dealing with the impacts of climate change. The White House confirmed it would adhere to UN rules for withdrawing from the agreement, which require a three-year waiting period before formally seeking to leave. The country will have to wait another year as a result. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, expressed his disappointment in an email to employees, mentioning that he had spoken to Trump in an attempt to convince him to remain in the Paris agreement. Cook stated that his efforts were unsuccessful. Other corporate executives cautioned that the US economy would lose its technological edge. Jeff Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, also expressed disappointment, emphasizing the reality of climate change. The industry should take the lead instead of relying on the government, according to Democrats who criticized Trump's decision. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called it one of the worst policy moves of the 21st century due to the significant harm it will cause to 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, as the country is responsible for over 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to China. Leading climate scientists are stating that greenhouse gas emissions are causing the atmosphere to trap heat, resulting in a warmer planet, rising sea levels, droughts, and more frequent violent storms. A recent report titled "Global Trends" from the US Director of National Intelligence's office issued a warning on Jan. 9, emphasizing that climate change presents security risks due to extreme weather events, water and food scarcity, and global tensions over how to address these changes. Last year marked the warmest year on record since the 19th Century, with global temperatures continuing to rise over several decades due to greenhouse gases. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute in Seoul, expressed concerns that international funding for climate change mitigation efforts may decrease, citing a $1 billion cut in US funding for the Green Climate Fund in South Korea. Economists have also noted that the US withdrawal from climate change initiatives could potentially have negative impacts on US employment. 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 warns that if the US scales back its climate agenda, it will fall behind other global players like Europe and China in transitioning to clean energy and creating jobs to combat climate change.