Donald Trump Cancels the Green Deal

Donald Trump’s inaugural speech sparks global controversy. The 47th President of the United States declared a national energy emergency on his first day in office, promising a return to fossil fuel exploitation. He firmly opposed the Green New Deal, electric vehicles, and international climate cooperation.

The United States increases oil production

In his speech, Donald Trump reiterated his campaign promises, emphasizing that under his leadership, America would return to its golden era. One of the main goals of his plan is to increase oil and natural gas production to lower energy prices. Efforts will focus on natural resources located in Alask

The declaration of a state of energy emergency was immediately published on the White House website. It authorizes state agencies to take immediate action to build the necessary infrastructure and sets a 30-day period for agency heads to prepare reports on increasing energy production.

CBS News noted that in October 2024, the United States produced 13.4 million barrels of oil daily, 17% more than during Trump’s previous term and the highest level since 1920.

Trump withdraws from the Paris Agreement

Immediately following his inaugural address, Donald Trump signed several executive orders. Among them was a decision to withdraw once again from the Paris Agreement, which commits signatories to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Trump had already withdrawn the U.S. during his first term, but the Biden administration later rejoined the international coalition to combat climate change. The current decision is particularly shocking, as California is battling massive wildfires, which scientists attribute to global warming.

The new president also announced the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing its alleged inefficiency in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. According to White House officials, the U.S. pays disproportionately high dues, and the WHO is overly influenced by member nations’ politics.

No more subsidies for electric vehicles

The decision to double down on fossil fuels strikes a blow to the broadly defined Green New Deal, a package of pro-environmental resolutions yet to be approved by Congress. Trump criticized the Biden administration’s policies, which included subsidies for electric vehicle purchases. Contrary to the new president’s claims, the U.S. does not mandate EV adoption but merely provides support for eco-friendly vehicles. This support will now be withdrawn as unfair and harmful to the traditional automotive industry. Biden’s executive order to increase the share of EVs in new car sales to 50% by 2030 has also been annulled. Additionally, Trump’s first-day orders include a plan to lower vehicle emissions standards.

The new president also pledged to provide Americans with the freedom to choose everyday products such as dishwashers and showerheads, directly opposing previous policies promoting water- and energy-efficient products.

Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), commented: “There is no energy emergency. There is a climate emergency.” He added that no president can disregard established safeguards and laws with a simple stroke of a pen. Ashfaq Khalfan, Climate Justice Director at Oxfam America, called Trump’s decisions “a recipe for disaster, favoring wealthy polluters at the expense of people and the planet.”

main photo: Trump White House, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons