President-elect Donald Trump is planning to withdraw from the Paris Global Warming Agreement that was signed a year ago. Trump believes that "nobody really knows" if climate change is real. His statements have caused furor especially with French President Francois Holland.
"Now, Paris, I'm studying. I do say this. I don't want that agreement to put us at a competitive disadvantage with other countries," stated Trump, adding, "And as you know, there are different times and different time limits on that agreement. I don't want that to give China, or other countries signing agreements, an advantage over us."
During an interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump claims he's "open-minded" on the issue of climate change but is concerned with the efforts of the past administration on the matter. As for Trump, this is not the first time he has spoken against the realities of climate change and global warming.
In his presidential campaign, Trump stated climate change was a hoax. At a town hall in New Hampshire, Trump after a show of hands on his question if anybody believed in global warming was quick to state that "nobody believes in climate change."
"I'm still open-minded. Nobody really knows. Look, I'm somebody that gets it, and nobody really knows. It's not something that's so hard and fast. I do know this: Other countries are eating our lunch."
As for Trump's response that he plans on backing out of the Paris Global Warming Agreement, President Holland has spoken up and is planning to set a meeting with Trump on behalf of the other countries who have been part of the agreement.
"The United States, the most powerful economy in the world, the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, must respect the commitments that were made. It's not simply their duty, it's in their interest," stated Holland.
In response to Trump's statements, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed a tariff on products imported from the United States, that is if Trump does back out of the Paris Global Warming Agreement.