Trump, utilizing the "America First" message he employed during his presidential campaign, stated that the Paris accord would harm the US economy, lead to job losses, diminish American sovereignty, and leave the country at a lasting disadvantage compared to other nations. Trump made these remarks during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on a sunny June day, fulfilling a key campaign promise. He emphasized that the decision to withdraw from the agreement was to prevent other countries from mocking the US and highlighted that the same nations urging the US to remain in the agreement have cost America trillions of dollars through unfair trade practices and inadequate contributions to military alliances. Republican leaders in the US Congress supported Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Trump for undermining the Obama administration's efforts to limit domestic energy production. On the other hand, supporters of the agreement, including prominent US business leaders, criticized Trump's action as detrimental to global efforts to address the threats of climate change. Former President Barack Obama expressed disappointment over the US withdrawal from the deal he helped negotiate, but remained hopeful that states, cities, and businesses would continue to take action to protect the planet for future generations. Trump, who previously dismissed climate change as a hoax, announced that his administration would start talks to rejoin the Paris agreement or create a new deal that is favorable to the United States. He criticized the terms set by China in the agreement. This decision was met with disappointment and frustration from global leaders, with one stating that it amounted to rejecting the collective knowledge of humanity. 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 should not be renegotiated. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted the importance of global efforts to combat climate change, despite the US decision. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reaffirmed China's commitment to fighting climate change during a summit with EU officials in Brussels. Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich stated that the decision to join the Paris accord was made and unlikely to be changed, according to the RIA news agency. In India, a top advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed the country's commitment to transitioning to renewable energy, regardless of the United States' withdrawal from the agreement. With Trump's decision, the US will be isolated from nearly all other nations on this crucial global issue. Only Syria and Nicaragua are the other countries not participating in the accord 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 over Trump's decision. Fiji, along with other small island nations, is considered highly susceptible to the effects of global warming and potential sea level rise from melting polar ice. US business leaders criticized the Trump administration's decision, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein calling it a setback for the environment and US leadership. Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk and Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger announced they would resign from White House advisory councils following Trump's decision. The Paris accord, a long-awaited agreement between wealthy and developing nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, was rejected by President Trump, who stated that he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris. Pittsburgh's mayor, Bill Peduto, a Democrat, countered on Twitter that his city, historically a hub for the US steel industry, supported the accord. The spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed disappointment at the decision, and the UN climate negotiation body emphasized that the accord could not be renegotiated at the request of one country. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, speaking in Singapore on Friday, expressed disappointment in the US decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, stating that it was not surprising. He emphasized that Australia remains committed to their Paris commitments. South Korea's foreign ministry also expressed regret over the US withdrawal, stating that it will undermine international efforts to address climate change. Trump's decision to stop payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps developing nations cope with climate change impacts, was described as causing devastating harm. The White House announced that it would follow UN rules for withdrawing from the agreement, which includes a three-year waiting period before formal withdrawal can be requested. The country will need to wait for another year in that case. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, conveyed his disappointment and mentioned in an email to his employees that he had a conversation with Trump on Tuesday in an attempt to convince him to remain in the Paris agreement. Cook stated that his efforts were not sufficient. Other corporate leaders 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 charge and not rely on the government, according to critics. Democrats criticized Trump's decision, with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer calling it one of the worst policy moves of the 21st century due to its negative impact 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, as the country is responsible for over 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, ranking second only to China. Prominent climate scientists have stated that greenhouse gas emissions are causing the Earth to warm, resulting in sea level rise, droughts, and more frequent severe storms. A recent report called "Global Trends" released by the US Director of National Intelligence's office on Jan. 9 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 was recorded as the warmest on record since the 19th Century, with global temperatures continuing to rise due to greenhouse gases. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute based in Seoul, expressed concern that international funding for climate change initiatives may decrease, citing a $1 billion reduction in US funding for the Green Climate Fund in South Korea. Economists also raised concerns that the US withdrawal from climate change efforts could potentially lead to job losses in the country. 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 by scaling back on the climate agenda, the US risks falling behind in the shift towards clean energy, as other countries like Europe and China show a stronger dedication to implementing low carbon solutions that also create jobs to combat climate change.