U.S. pullout from Paris climate accord will give rise to “anti-Trump” alliance

(Photo: Win McNamee Getty Images)

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the 195-country Paris climate agreement — a deal to protect the planet that was signed by virtually all countries except for Syria and Nicaragua — was an act of supreme irresponsibility that will cost the United States dearly on many fronts.

Diplomatically, it will confirm that Trump has relinquished the U.S. role as the leader of the free world and the architect of world trade and environmental agreements. Economically, it will further convince the biggest Western democracies to expand their own trade agreements, bypassing the United States.

In addition to picking needless public fights with Mexico, Canada, Germany, NATO countries and even Australia while cozying up to the dictators of Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, Trump has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and now from the Paris agreement to reduce man-made carbon emissions that are poisoning the planet.

In essence, he’s fighting with U.S. allies, and embracing U.S. foes. I would not be surprised if we will soon see a German-French axis of leadership in the global defense of democracy, while China fills the U.S. void trying to become a champion of globalization, and the environment. It’s already happening.

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