Trump signals he’s ready to exit Paris climate accord, but decision not final

President Donald Trump has signaled he’s ready to withdraw or dramatically alter the landmark Paris climate agreement ahead of an expected announcement this week, though he is still weighing a final decision amid new pressure from foreign governments, business leaders and members of his own party to remain committed to the carbon reduction pact.

In conversations with European leaders, western diplomats and aides during his first international trip, Trump indicated he was poised to honor his campaign commitments to either withdraw from the agreement altogether or make significant changes to the US carbon reduction goals that underpin its participation in the accord. The White House declined to say when Trump planned to make his intentions known, but officials familiar with the decision say an announcement could come as early as Wednesday.

Trump, feted and chided abroad, returns to uncertainty at home

Trump met Tuesday morning with EPA administrator Scott Pruitt to discuss the Paris climate agreement, press secretary Sean Spicer said. Pruitt has been a vocal proponent of withdrawing from the accord.

“He wants a fair deal for the American people,” Spicer said, adding Trump is spending a “great deal of time” considering the Paris agreement.

In his conversations with foreign leaders last week, Trump offered no final decision, saying he would take his counterparts’ arguments into account. And he did not specify what measures he might take to sever the United States’ pledge to the 195-nation agreement should he resolve to withdraw.

But there are virtually no signs he plans to remain in the agreement as it currently stands. Trump did not sign onto a joint statement at last week’s G-7 conference articulating support for the Paris accord. In the days since, he has lashed out at leaders who expressed disappointment in their climate conversations with him in Sicily. And according to aides, he has become increasingly convinced that taking formal steps to withdraw will demonstrate his commitment to an “America First” governing policy.

Trump tweeted as he departed the G-7 on Saturday that he planned to make a decision on Paris this week, and he has consulted with advisers and aides in the days since his return about the matter. Officials have laid out several options for him to decide between, including triggering a years-long withdraw process or putting the matter up for a vote in the US Senate.

Originally, the President had aimed to make a decision on Paris before arriving in Europe for his first summit talks with foreign leaders, but in mid-May the White House announced he was delaying a decision.

In talks with his foreign counterparts, the President kept an open mind on climate issues, according to his aides. But afterward, leaders said Trump offered few assurances he would uphold commitments to carbon reductions made under the Obama administration.

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One on Saturday, May, 27, 2017, at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. They were headed back to the United States after a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe.

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President Trump greets people on May 27, after speaking to US troops at Naval Air Station Sigonella.

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President Trump addresses US troops and their families on May 27, at the Sigonella Naval Air Station.

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President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on May 27, to address US military personnel and families at Naval Air Station Sigonella.

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Leaders of the G-7 and some African nations pose for a photo on May 27, on the second day of the G-7 summit in Taormina, Italy.

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President Trump gestures on May 27, during a G-7 session.

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President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, arrive for a concert of the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra while in Taormina, Italy, on Friday, May 26. The Trumps are in Italy for a two-day G-7 summit.

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Trump and other leaders pose for a group photo at the G-7 summit on May 26. From left are European Council President Donald Tusk, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

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Trump and Trudeau walk together after the group photo.

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G-7 leaders congregate during a walking tour on May 26.

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Trump embraces new French President Emmanuel Macron on May 26.

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The leaders watch a French air squadron.

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Melania Trump arrives at the City Hall in Catania, Italy, on May 26. She was wearing a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket as she met with other spouses of G-7 leaders.

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Trump shakes hands with Macron in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, May 25. They were attending a NATO summit as the alliance officially opened a new $1 billion headquarters.

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Trump stands with other world leaders during a NATO photo shoot on May 25.

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Trump speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a working dinner at NATO headquarters.

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Trump stands next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the NATO summit.

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Melania Trump visits the Magritte Museum in Brussels with Amelie Derbaudrenghien, partner of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.

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A girl takes a selfie with Melania Trump at a children's hospital in Brussels on May 25.

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Trump meets with Macron in Brussels.

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Trump walks with European Council President Donald Tusk, center, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, after they met at the European Council in Brussels on May 25.

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Trump, third from right, attends a meeting with leaders at the European Council.

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Trump speaks with King Philippe of Belgium as Queen Mathilde and Melania Trump chat during a reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels on Wednesday, May 24.

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Tusk talks to Trump as he welcomes him in Brussels.

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Trump stands with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel while the national anthem is played during Trump's arrival in Belgium on May 24.

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Protesters in Brussels demonstrate with effigies of Trump and Michel on May 24.

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Trump shakes hands with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on May 24.

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Pope Francis stands with Trump and his family during a private audience at the Vatican on May 24. Joining the President, from left, are Trump's son-in-law, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner; Trump's daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump; and first lady Melania Trump.

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Trump and the Pope exchange gifts. Trump presented the Pope with a first-edition set of Martin Luther King's writings. The Pope gave Trump an olive-tree medal that the Pope said symbolizes peace.

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Trump and his wife look at the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel.

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Trump speaks to reporters in Rome during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, right, on May 24.

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The first lady visits a pediatric hospital in Vatican City on May 24.

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Melania Trump arrives at the Vatican on May 24. With Vatican protocol in mind, she wore a black veil and long-sleeved black dress draped down to her calf. Ivanka Trump wore a similar outfit with a larger veil.

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President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wave at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on Tuesday, May 23. Trump gave a speech there, reaffirming his country's commitment to Israel while also holding up Judaism's historical ties to the United States.

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People take pictures of the message Trump wrote at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, on May 23.

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With the help of US Marines, Trump and his wife lay a wreath at Yad Vashem.

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Trump meets with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, on May 23. Trump met with Israeli leaders the day before and said he believes both sides "are ready to reach for peace."

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A Palestinian security official takes position before the arrival of Trump's convoy in Bethlehem, West Bank.

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Israeli and American activists hold signs Monday, May 22, during an anti-Trump protest next to the US embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.

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Melania Trump and Israeli first lady Sara Netanyahu speak to children during their visit to the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem on May 22.

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Trump talks to reporters as he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 22. Trump sought to rebut claims that he damaged Israeli intelligence capabilities by revealing highly classified information to Russian operatives earlier this month. "Just so you understand, I never mentioned the word or the name Israel," Trump told reporters as he began the second leg of his first foreign tour.

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Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, while in Jerusalem on May 22. Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the wall.

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Trump stands in the Western Wall plaza. To his left, in black, is Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall.

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First lady Melania Trump, in white, visits the Western Wall. At far left is Ivanka Trump.

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The President and first lady plant a tree in Jerusalem with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

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Trump is welcomed by Netanyahu upon arriving in Tel Aviv on May 22. Trump started his trip with two days in Saudi Arabia.

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On the way to Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One.

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While in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump attends the inauguration ceremony for the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Joining him here are Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, center, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left.

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Trump speaks in Riyadh during the Arab Islamic American Summit on Sunday, May 21. Trump looked to make it clear that the United States is not at war with Islam. "This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilizations," he said. "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil."

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Trump sits at the summit, which included leaders from 55 Muslim-majority countries. He urged them to do more to eradicate terrorist groups that claim the mantle of Islam. "We can only overcome this evil if the forces of good are united and strong and if everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden," Trump said. "Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in stamping out radicalization."

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Trump poses with other leaders at the Arab Islamic American Summit.

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Saudi King Salman shakes hands with Trump on May 21. Trump is the first US president to start his first foreign trip in the Middle East.

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Trump meets with other heads of state in Riyadh on May 21.

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Trump speaks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Gen. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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First lady Melania Trump chats with children during a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on May 21.

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While in Riyadh, President Trump meets with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on May 21.

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President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi share a laugh during a meeting on May 21. El-Sisi complimented Trump on his "unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible." Trump exchanged pleasantries back, praising el-Sisi's shoes.

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Trump is handed a sword during a welcoming ceremony at Riyadh's Murabba Palace on Saturday, May 20.

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Trump sits with members of his staff and Cabinet before a meeting with Saudi King Salman on May 20.

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Trump and King Salman take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20. The two leaders oversaw the signing of a defense deal worth nearly $110 billion.

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The Trumps look at a display of modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.

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King Salman presents Trump with a gilded necklace and medal, the country's highest honor. The distinction also was bestowed upon Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

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The first lady chats with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at the medal ceremony on May 20.

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Ivanka Trump attends the medal ceremony.

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Trump meets with King Salman after arriving in Riyadh on May 20.

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Soldiers on horseback carry the US and Saudi flags as they escort Trump to the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.

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Trump is welcomed by King Salman after arriving at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

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The Trumps take part in the welcome ceremony.

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The President and first lady wave from Air Force One after landing in Riyadh.

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At the conclusion of his talks in Sicily, Trump declined to sign onto a pledge by all the other leaders to uphold the Paris carbon reduction commitments.

“The United States of America is in the process of reviewing its policies on climate change and on the Paris Agreement and thus is not in a position to join the consensus on these topics,” read the summit’s joint statement.

Flying home, a senior administration official declined to elaborate any further on Trump’s climate thinking, saying only that “whatever the President does will make sure that we’re protecting American jobs.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump was “reviewing” the Paris accord, and told reporters he’d urged Trump not to make a hurried decision during their first face-to-face talks in Brussels. But a French official, speaking anonymously to describe the two men’s conversation, indicted Trump offered few signs he was ready to remain in the Paris agreement.

Trump told Macron he is under “heavy” pressure back in the US on the climate accord and that “a lot of people in my country are against this agreement,” according to this official.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was more blunt, telling reporters she emerged from meeting with Trump disappointed in his views on climate change.

“The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying,” Merkel said after the session. “There are no indications whether the United States will stay in the Paris Agreement or not.”

Later, during a campaign stop, Merkel escalated her barbs against Trump, suggesting the US was no longer a reliable ally for Germany.

Back in Washington, Trump angrily shot back: “We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military,” he wrote on Twitter. “Very bad for U.S. This will change.”

Trump’s message appeared to preface further acrimony between himself and Merkel, the most powerful politician in Europe and, increasingly, the most vocal Trump foil on the continent.

Trump’s decision this week will come after months of pressuring from competing interests. The issue has divided members of the West Wing, though legal questions and evolving viewpoints have blurred the lines between those advocating for a withdrawal and aides urging Trump to remain in the pact.

Ivanka Trump, the President’s daughter and senior adviser, has emerged as the most vocal proponent of maintaining some level of US commitment to the Paris accord. She’s worked to ensure her father hears pro-Paris viewpoints, including during a phone call with former Vice President Al Gore.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson holds the Arctic Council chair's gavel before handing it to Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini (R) as Finland becomes the chair during the plenary session of the Arctic Council meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska, on May 11, 2017. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Tillerson signs declaration stressing climate change threat

She has been joined by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has said withdrawing from the agreement could harm US negotiating power. Ahead of Trump’s foreign trip, Tillerson insisted the White House reschedule a meeting between advisers to discuss the climate agreement so that he could attend. Like Trump, the secretary of state has faced pressure from foreign diplomats to maintain US participation in the climate agreement.

Tillerson’s former employer Exxon Mobil, along with dozens of other US firms, have also been proponents of remaining in the agreement. Exxon’s CEO wrote Trump personally earlier this month urging him to remain in the deal, saying doing so means “a seat at the negotiating table to ensure a level playing field.”

Even some Republicans in Congress have argued for remaining part of the agreement. Sen. Lindsay Graham told CNN on Sunday that a withdraw “means that the leader of the Republican Party is in a different spot than the rest of the world.”

But other voices, including that of White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and EPA administrator Pruitt, appear to have held more sway. Conservative Republicans in Congress have also begun a pressure campaign as Trump prepares his final decision, urging him to withdraw.

“I hope President Trump will take the opportunity before him to fulfill the commitment he made and withdraw America from the Paris Agreement,” Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas wrote in a CNN op-ed Tuesday.

As Trump mulls his decision, the White House offered few signs Tuesday that Trump was planning to soften his view of climate change.

Asked whether Trump – who once called climate change a hoax – believes human activity is contributing to global warning, Spicer said he wasn’t sure.

“I haven’t asked him,” Spicer said.