President Donald Trump will announce his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement Thursday in the White House Rose Garden at 3 P.M., according to a White House official.
Trump’s announcement comes after reports Wednesday that he would pull out of the 2015 accord, which was signed by 195 nations. The deal aims to limit the average global temperature increase to below 2C (3.6F), allowing each country to create its own goals and targets for addressing rising global temperatures.
Though there would be no legal repercussions if a country pulls out of the agreement, if the U.S. withdraws, it would throw into doubt global effort to address climate change.
I will be announcing my decision on Paris Accord, Thursday at 3:00 P.M. The White House Rose Garden. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 1, 2017
During his campaign, Trump pledged to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement.
A number of corporate leaders like Tim Cook of Apple and Elon Musk of Tesla have urged Trump to stay in the agreement. Energy companies like Exxon Mobil, which Secretary of State Rex Tillerson used to run, have voiced support for the deal, too.
Only two countries — Nicaragua and Syria — of the 197 at the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change refused to sign the agreement.
Watch Trump make the announcement in the video above.
