Mike Pence says Paris deal would give India/China free pass
What's the story
US Vice-President Mike Pence slammed the Paris climate change deal as "terrible" and said it would have given India and China a virtual "free pass" and cost the US economy over 6.5 million jobs.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump had announced the US' withdrawal from the landmark agreement.
The move was met with widespread domestic and global condemnation.
02 Jun 2017
Donald Trump withdraws US out of Paris climate deal
On June 2, Donald Trump announced that he was pulling the US out of Paris climate accord, a step that dampens the global efforts to curb climate change.
"I cannot in good conscience, support a deal that punishes the United States", Trump had said, adding that the Paris deal "would undermine the US economy, cost US jobs, and weaken American national sovereignty."
03 Jun 2017
Paris Agreement on climate change- India committed to preserving climate
On June 3, following the US' "stormy exit" from the Paris Agreement on climate change, India asserted it is committed to protecting the climate irrespective of international pacts or other nations' stand on it.
At the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), PM Narendra Modi stated "Paris or no Paris," India remains committed to preserving the climate "for the sake of future generations."
What Pence said
Pence says Trump open to renegotiating Paris deal
"You know, one independent study found that the Paris Accord would have actually cost the US economy more than 6.5 million manufacturing jobs in the next 25 years while giving countries like China and India virtually a free pass," Pence said.
He said Trump had "left the door opening to renegotiating the deal or coming up with a different agreement."
Details
Pence said Trump is dedicated to American energy
Pence said Trump had put America First by withdrawing from the Paris deal.
He said the administration has placed a renewed emphasis on energy, which is visible in Trump's decision to approve the Dakota and Keystone pipelines.
"President Trump is fighting every day to make sure that American manufacturers have affordable, abundant, and reliable energy that you need to power your factories," Pence said.