US trade groups express concern over Trump's Paris agreement departure
US industry organisations are worried about the impacts on future international trade following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.
The US Council for International Business (USCIB), for example, said it was "disappointed" by the president's decision. "In our view, this decision could leave US companies unprotected and exposed to possible discrimination under the Paris Agreement if the US government is not at the table," the New York-based group warned
"The Paris Agreement is redefining global markets for energy and environmental goods and services, as well as providing major economic stimuli for companies. US energy security and access were never threatened by the Paris Agreement, which allows each national government to define its own climate action plan. Moreover, the US stands to benefit from trade and investment opportunities that the Paris Agreement will set in motion," USCIB explained.
USCIB said it hopes the US will remain engaged and continue to offer solutions to the global climate control debate, American Shipper reported.
Multilateral forums and cooperative approaches are the best way to address the trans-boundary challenges of energy access and innovation, climate change and sustainable development," the group said.
EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete called the US withdraw from the Paris Agreement "a sad day for the global community, as a key partner turns its back on the fight against climate change."
