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."
Subscribe to 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."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
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.
-
Capture precious family memories with The Week Junior
Encourage your kids to record an interview with their grandparents - download our free guide today
By The Week Junior Published
-
The Apprentice: will biopic change how voters see Donald Trump?
Talking Point 'Brutal' film depicts presidential candidate raping first wife Ivana, but some critics believe portrayal is surprisingly sympathetic
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Russia and Iran 'up the ante' after meeting in Turkmenistan
The Explainer Two nations talk up their closer ties but some in Tehran believe Putin 'still owes' them
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Why NATO, Ukraine are nervous about a second Trump presidency
The Explainer A 'radical reorientation' of U.S. policy is possible
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Bob Woodward's War: the explosive Trump revelations
In the spotlight Nobody can beat Watergate veteran at 'getting the story of the White House from the inside'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Nobody sees themselves in the word 'other'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Who are undecided voters, anyway?
Talking Points They might decide the presidential election
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Arizona kicks off swing-state early voting
Speed Read The voting began with less than a month to go before the presidential election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Netanyahu talk ahead of Israeli hit on Iran
Speed Read The pair spoke for the first time since August
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Donald Trump's health care plan would retain the status quo
The Explainer The Republican Party is still having difficulty formulating concrete health care proposals
By David Faris Published