UPDATE - Germany says US withdrawal from Paris climate agreement a ‘fatal signal’

ADDS MORE QUOTES FROM ECONOMY MINISTER, CHANGES HEADLINE

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement is a “fatal signal” to the world, Germany’s economy minister said on Tuesday.

Speaking at an energy conference in Berlin, Robert Habeck said Trump’s move did not come as a surprise, but it was a worrying development that could significantly undermine international efforts to address climate change.

“What happened in the United States was the beginning of a historical failure, that is why it was not a good day for Germany, and for Europe, and for the world community,” he said, adding that today's politicians will be judged by future generations on whether they have fulfilled their responsibility to curb global warming.

Soon after his inauguration on Monday, Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement. He also signed a letter that will be transmitted to the UN explaining the withdrawal from the treaty. The withdrawal aligns with Trump's broader energy and climate policies, which have prioritized fossil fuel development.

Asked about Trump's plans to impose tariffs on EU exports, Habeck said Europeans are prepared for such scenarios but warned that retaliatory tariff hikes between the US and the EU would harm both sides.

“If tariffs start to be imposed now, then we know what tariffs we have to impose, but we don't want that,” Habeck said. “It is bad for people, it is bad for our relationships, it is bad for our overall prosperity,” he stressed.

“My recommendation would be, we should extend an outstretched hand to the Trump administration, but not allow our hand to (be) slapped away without limits, we should not act in a cowardly manner,” he added.