US president Donald Trump refused to endorse the Paris climate change agreement over the weekend, with G7 leaders failing to bridge differences with America.
After a conference in Sicily over the weekend, Trump refused to join other leaders in committing to the Paris climate change accord. In an unusual statement, the Group of G7 Leaders commented:
“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.
“Understanding this process, the heads of state and of government of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom and the presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission reaffirm their strong commitment to swiftly implement the Paris Agreement,” it added.
Trump said he needed more time to decide whether to back the agreement, marking a continuation from his previous sceptical stance on climate change. Trump has previously denied its existence, believing that it was a ‘hoax’ made up by China.
Trump was at the G7 conference as part of the final leg of his European visit, during which his behaviour towards other European leaders sparked both shock and disbelief.
In another apparent snub to European leadership, at the G7 conference Trump chose not to walk with the other leaders through the streets of Taormina, Sicily. Instead, he rode behind them in a golf cart before making the six other leaders wait for his arrival before posing for a photo.