U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday downplayed the significance of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to leave the Paris Agreement amid widespread discord both at home and abroad.
"I don't think we're going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future," said Tillerson here before his meeting with visiting Brazilian counterpart Aloysio Nunes Ferreira.
It was the first time that Tillerson, who reportedly opposed the U.S. withdrawal from the landmark global pact to fight climate change, made public comments on the issue after Trump's announcement on Thursday.
After almost 5-month-old frenzied speculation across the world, Trump on Thursday announced his decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, arguing that the Paris Agreement "hamstrings" the United States while "empowers" other countries.
Trump said the United States would begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement. However, he indicated that re-entry may not be a top priority for his administration.
"If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine," said Trump, adding that the new agreement must ensure "fair" treatment to the United States, its business, its workers, and its taxpayers.
By leaving the Paris Agreement, Trump fulfilled his campaign promise, but had aroused discord both at home and abroad.
In response to Trump's decision, governors of California, Washington and New York announced Thursday formation of a coalition committed to upholding the Paris accord.
"I am proud to stand with other governors as we make sure that the inaction in D.C. is met by an equal force of action from the states," Washington State Governor Jay Inslee said in a joint statement.
The alliance will serve as a forum for states to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy, according to the statement.
Likewise, Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti also announced that he was proud to continue to adopt goals of the Paris Agreement with more than 60 fellow mayors, who are committed to the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda in local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As of late Thursday afternoon, 68 mayors of cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver, had signed their names in a statement saying they would adopt, honor and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the climate agreement.
Across the world, major powers have also taken issue with Trump's controversial move.
U.S. withdrawal from the Paris agreement is "a major disappointment" for global efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions and promote international security, Spokesperson for UN secretary-general Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron also denounced on Thursday evening Trump's decision to leave the Paris pact. In a speech delivered at the Elysee Palace, Macron said the United States has "turned its back on the world" and made "a mistake for the future of the planet."
"Wherever we live, wherever we are, we all share the same responsibility -- make our planet great again," the French president stressed.
