TAORMINA: President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would decide next week whether the United States would abide by the 2015 Paris agreement on cutting global carbon emissions.

The unexpected announcement came as a summit of G7 leaders in Sicily wrapped up in deadlock on the issue, with US partners voicing frustration at the president’s failure to commit to the deal aimed at stemming global warming.

“I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!” Trump tweeted.

The meeting’s final declaration reflected a stalemate between the US and the six other participating countries, who are all strongly committed to the Paris accord.

“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,” it stated. “Understanding this process, the [other participants] reaffirm their strong commitment to swiftly implement the Paris Agreement ... In this context, we all agree on the importance of supporting developing countries.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised what she called “a very difficult, not to say very unsatisfactory” discussion with Trump on the issue.

French President Emmanuel Macron struck a more positive note, saying the talks had been useful. “I think there was progress and there was a real discussion and exchange of views,” he said, voicing hope that Trump would decide to keep his country within the Paris framework.

But Gary Cohn, Trump’s economic advisor, on Friday said the president had told his G7 colleagues that he regarded the environment as important. “His views are evolving, he came here to learn,” Cohn said. “His basis for decision ultimately will be what’s best for the United States.”

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2017