Biden apologizes to world leaders for Trump's withdrawal from Paris climate accord


President Biden is offering an apology to world leaders over former President Donald Trump pulling the United States out of the Paris climate accord.
Biden at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Scotland on Monday said he "shouldn't apologize, but I do apologize" for the fact that the Trump administration pulled out of the Paris accord and "put us sort of behind the eight ball a little bit," The Associated Press reports.
After taking office in January, Biden quickly rejoined the Paris climate accord after Trump withdrew the U.S. from this agreement to reduce carbon emissions. Trump announced the U.S. was withdrawing from the accord in 2019, though the withdrawal didn't take effect until November 2020. After the U.S. officially rejoined the agreement earlier this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken described it as an "unprecedented framework for global action."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
During his speech at the climate conference, Biden promised world leaders his administration is "working overtime to show that our climate commitment is action, not words" and is "back at the table," acknowledging this "hasn't been the case." He also told the world leaders that the American people "four or five years ago" weren't "at all sure about climate change" and "whether it was real," Axios reports. But, he added, "They have, as they say in southern parts of my state, seen the lord."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
What will bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table?
Today's Big Question With diplomatic efforts stalling, the US and EU turn again to sanctions as Russian drone strikes on Poland risk dramatically escalating conflict
-
Why social media is obsessed with cortisol
In The Spotlight Wellness trend is the latest response to an increasingly maligned hormone
-
Peter Mandelson called Epstein his 'best pal' in birthday note
Speed Read The UK's ambassador to Washington described the late convicted paedophile as an 'intelligent, sharp-witted man'
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
Trump threatens critics with federal charges
Feature Days after FBI agents raided John Bolton's home, Trump threatened legal action against Chris Christie
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
'The McDonald's menu board is one fascinating thing'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines