Trump's Decision to Withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization and Paris Agreement Sparks Reactions

Donald Trump's executive orders regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization have elicited reactions from countries around the world and non-governmental organizations. Eva Hernchirova, spokesperson for the European Union on health issues, expressed concern about the U.S. exit from the World Health Organization during a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, February 21, stating, "We are determined to cooperate with our American partners and hope that this process [of U.S. withdrawal] is still under review." The World Health Organization also expressed regret that its most significant financial supporter would take such action. A spokesperson for the organization expressed hope that the United States would "reconsider" this decision and that a constructive dialogue "in favor of all," including Americans and people worldwide, would take place. On the other hand, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated, "The role of the World Health Organization should be strengthened, not weakened." He added that China would continue to support the organization in its mission to promote "human health" as it always has. Trump's executive orders, which include pardoning those involved in the January 6 insurrection and exiting the Paris Agreement, were signed on the first day of his work in the White House. Trump, who has always had a negative view of climate agreements, had previously withdrawn from this agreement during his first presidential term, but Joe Biden returned the U.S. to the agreement after winning the 2020 election. The new U.S. President stated on Monday before his inauguration ceremony in Washington Stadium in front of thousands, "I will immediately withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, which is unfair and one-sided. When China pollutes with impunity, the U.S. will not destroy its industries." The Paris Agreement, which was established nearly a decade ago under the auspices of the United Nations, includes almost all countries in the world and aims to limit global warming by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The United States is the second-largest polluter in the world after China. While Trump emphasized China's responsibility for polluting the world in his statements, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on Tuesday, "Climate change is a common challenge faced by all humanity, and no country can remain indifferent or solve the problem alone." Additionally, Ben Jealous, director of the environmental NGO Sierra Club, based in California, stated immediately after the U.S. re-exit from the Paris Agreement in a statement: "As the most powerful country and the largest greenhouse gas emitter in history, we have a duty to lead the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions." The statement adds: "We also have a deep moral obligation to act boldly as a country and as a people committed to protecting the current and future generations, doing everything we can to prevent the worst climate crisis." According to the director of this NGO, the U.S. withdrawal from this agreement only emboldens other countries to seize the opportunity and reach a point we do not want. In addition to exiting the Paris Agreement, Trump has made other decisions that impact environmental issues. The new U.S. President has ordered federal agencies to reject international climate financial commitments made by the previous administration and to end subsidies for purchasing electric vehicles. He also declared an "energy emergency" with the aim of increasing oil and gas production in the U.S., which is already the largest producer in the world, by lifting drilling bans in several areas, including protected areas in Alaska. Stopping the development of wind farms and a law passed during Biden's administration known as "IRA," which enables significant investment in clean energy, are among Trump's other decisions. However, some of these actions may require congressional approval or be challenged in courts.