Tesla CEO Elon Musk quit Pres. Donald Trump's advisory committee after he pulled the U.S. out of the Paris accord.
President Donald Trump made good on his threat to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord, claiming the deal was bad for the U.S.
“We’re getting out,” he said during a press conference announcing the decision that puts the U.S. with Syria and Nicaragua as the world’s only non-participants in the agreement.
Trump called the move “represents a reassertion of American sovereignty.” However, he did say the U.S. would negotiation to re-enter the agreement or establish a new one that offered more reasonable terms.
The move comes despite a tsunami of pressure from other world leaders and others to remain in the accord. In fact, once Trump made good on his threat, so did one of the auto industry’s top executives, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk.
(Tesla’s Musk says “no choice” but to quit Trump panel if U.S. quits Paris accord. Click Here for the story.)
Musk said earlier in the week that he would resign from White House advisory councils if Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement. Today, he made good on that.
“Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world,” Musk tweeted not long after the announcement was made. At least one other automotive executive, Mary Barra, plans to remain.
“Mary Barra’s participation on the President’s Strategy and Policy Forum provides GM a seat at an important table to contribute to a constructive dialogue about key policy issues. The forum continues to provide an opportunity to work with the administration and other corporate leaders on policies that support a strong and competitive economy and automotive industry,” the company said in an email to TheDetroitBureau.com.
The automaker said Trump’s decision will have no impact on its efforts to be more environmentally friendly or its corporate position on climate change.
(Senate bill would give carmakers more fuel economy credits. Click Here for that story.)
“We publicly advocate for climate action and awareness and remain the only automaker to have signed the Ceres Climate Declaration and one of the first companies to sign the American Business Act on Climate Pledge,” according to the company statement.
“Nothing showcases our commitment more than our leadership in electric vehicles and the Chevrolet Bolt EV – the first EV for everyone with 238 miles of range on a single charge and a net price of less than $30,000.”
Ford also reiterated its commitment to the environment, and its belief in climate change.
“We believe climate change is real, and remain deeply committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our vehicles and our facilities,” Ford said in an email. “Our commitment to sustainability is why we’re investing so heavily in electrification and adding 13 new electrified vehicles to our line-up.”
However, Trump is resolute in his feeling that the deal is bad for America and he hearkened back to his campaign rhetoric saying he would put America first.
“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” he said during the announcement. His move drew criticism from his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, who helped to negotiate the deal in 2015.
“The nations that remain in the Paris agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created,” Obama said in a statement Thursday.
(To see more about Trump putting German makers in the crosshairs again, Click Here.)
“I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack. But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the planet we’ve got.”