German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said that despite the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, the remaining G20 countries would not seek to isolate Washington at July’s summit in Hamburg.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision, “the United States of America are nonetheless an important part of the G20 and will be welcomed by (Germany) despite all differences in opinion,’’ Merkel said.
Merkel’s comments coincided with the so-called Civil 20 (C20) event in Hamburg that brought together civil society organisations to discuss trade, climate change, women’s rights and other topics ahead of the summit, which is taking place on July 7 and 8.
More than 300 groups from 50 countries handed a communique to Merkel demanding the G20 countries make a renewed commitment to the Paris climate agreement in the wake of Washington’s withdrawal.
“We expect the remaining 19 members to confirm their unequivocal commitment to the complete and concrete implementation of the measures (outlined in) the Paris agreement,’’ the groups said in a communique.
On June 1, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his country would cease participation in the 2015 agreement on climate change mitigation.
Trump argued that the withdrawal would be better for American businesses and workers in accordance with his “America First’’ policy. (dpa/NAN)
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