During the last day of the G-7 summit in Italy, President Trump tweeted that he’ll decide later this week whether the U.S. will stay in the Paris Agreement, says the Los Angeles Times. The agreement, signed by almost 200 countries, including the U.S. under President Obama, calls for lowering greenhouse-gas emissions. It’s widely supported by the other G-7 countries: Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan.
Trump has told “confidants,” including EPA chief Scott Pruitt, that he intends to leave the treaty, according to the news outlet Axios, says Reuters. Axios cited “three sources with direct knowledge.”
“Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, who chaired the G-7 meeting, said the other six ‘won’t change our position on climate change one millimeter. The U.S. hasn’t decided yet. I hope they decide in the right way,’” according to the Times.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he told Trump that it is “indispensable for the reputation of the United States and the interest of the Americans themselves that the United States remain committed” to the Paris climate agreement.
But, according to Reuters, German Chancellor Angela Merkel didn’t mince words about the American leader. “The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying,” she told reporters. “There are no indications whether the United States will stay in the Paris Agreement or not.”