# Trump pulled out of Paris Climate Accord to benefit Russia and Saudi Arabia **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 2, 2017, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912 "2017-06-02T05:28:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Barack\_Obama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/1 "2017-06-02T05:28:31Z")
Both Russia and Saudi Arabia’s economy are based on oil. They’re struggling to keep the price of oil high enough to maintain their economies. The only way to keep oil at high prices is to either decrease the amount of oil or increase the demand for oil. The Paris Climate Accord cut back on the demand for oil. Donald Trump has pulled out the Accord, and has had significant personal relations with Russia and Saudi Arabia. With a bit of googling I find articles on a giant saudi oil company called Aarmco trying to sell on the stock market, and Trump started 8 companies in Saudi Arabia during the campaign. > **[Dealmaker Trump will be busy in Saudi Arabia](https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/19/news/economy/trump-saudi-defense-investment-oil-deals/)** > > Trump will be talking defense contracts, investment deals and oil when he visits Saudi Arabia. > **[Trump registered eight companies in Saudi Arabia during campaign: report](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/306990-trump-appeared-to-register-eight-companies-in-saudi-arabia/)** > > The names of the companies follow a similar pattern of other companies registered in foreign cities. Also saudi Arabia bought the largest US oil refinery last month. > **[Saudis take 100% control of America's largest oil refinery](https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/01/investing/saudi-arabia-buys-largest-oil-refinery-port-arthur/index.html)** > > Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company took full control of the sprawling Port Arthur refinery on Monday that is the largest refinery in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/2 "2017-06-02T05:39:13Z")
So…it’s a conspiracy, eh? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/3 "2017-06-02T06:03:46Z")
I think that domestic political issues and his own personal views were much more important in the decision. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/4 "2017-06-02T06:04:41Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > I think that domestic political issues and his own personal views were much more important in the decision. No no no, I think **Barack Obama** is onto something here. Please, tell us more. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Barack\_Obama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/5 "2017-06-02T06:10:40Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > I think that domestic political issues and his own personal views were much more important in the decision. He’s contradicted his own beliefs multiple times. I doubt his belief is the top reason why he pulled out. He obviously is continuing to look out for his own interests. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/6 "2017-06-02T06:12:21Z")
It’s an election promise. More than that, it’s one he can actually fulfill. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/7 "2017-06-02T06:18:03Z")
That might set a dangerous precedent. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/8 "2017-06-02T08:11:04Z")
Maybe if you had done a bit more googling you would have found out that [Saudi Aramco World is heavily committed to combat Climate Change.](http://www.saudiaramco.com/en/home/news-media/news/KAPSARC-energy-summit.html). The Saudis are investing billions [in clean energy.](http://www.climatechangenews.com/2017/01/16/saudi-50-billion-clean-power-plan-close-to-launch/) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/9 "2017-06-02T09:24:13Z")
He pulled out because Emmanuel Macron was mean to him and lives in Paris. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/10 "2017-06-02T10:05:31Z")
But… **…her EMAILS!** ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/11 "2017-06-02T10:31:27Z")
I think Trump is simply following the rules of tough negotiating. First rule, give them a reason to negotiate. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/12 "2017-06-02T10:47:13Z")
Trump (in his stupid speech): “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” The mayor of Pittsburgh (that city that overwhelmingly did not vote for the misleader in chuef) poits out that they will continue to follow the guidelines of the Paris agreement. > **[Trump: I was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris. Pittsburgh: Uh,...](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/1/15726656/pittsburgh-mayor-trump-paris)** > > The mayor of the city has an entertaining and informative tweetstorm. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/13 "2017-06-02T10:55:49Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I think Trump is simply following the rules of tough negotiating. First rule, give them a reason to negotiate. I think you are right here. He sees negotiating as a balance, very black and white. One side is pollution, the other side is jobs. In his mind, the other side gave up X amount of pollution in exchange for Y amount of jobs. In his mind, the rest of the world wants only for us to pollute as little as possible, but American wants only to have the most jobs. He’s the great negotiator, so thinks “Aha! I can make a ‘better deal’.” So he wants to shift the equation in our direction (as he sees it) – we want to pollute more and save more U.S. jobs. Of course, this (as so many other issues) is much more nuanced. It is not just the rest of the world, but the U.S. as well that should want to pollute less. We are setting targets for ourselves. The balance also isn’t just his simplistic less pollution leads to fewer jobs either. We’ve found in recent years that changing the nature of our energy usage doesn’t necessarily cost jobs. Sure, we’ve lost some coal jobs, but we’ve also gained solar and wind jobs. There is also a great deal of climate change risk we are only beginning to realize the extent of. Who knew energy policy was so complicated? Isn’t it comforting to know that Rick Perry is at the helm of the Dept. of Energy? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/14 "2017-06-02T10:57:48Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > I think that domestic political issues and his own personal views were much more important in the decision. He did it because the real Barack Obama was for the accord. Policy based on an insecure imbecile’s hurt feewings is the new America. Apologies to all the countries with functioning governments. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/15 "2017-06-02T10:58:32Z")
As with sanctuary cities, U.S. Mayors are stating that they are not bound by this decision, and will still abide by the agreement.Chicago is one example, the Mayor of Pittsburgh has said something similar. > **[Mayor Emanuel responds to US withdrawal from Paris Agreement](https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/6/1/15726544/rahm-emanuel-chicago-paris-accord)** > > Chicago’s mayor has become a fierce critic of President Trump’s environmental policies. > **[350 mayors adopt Paris climate accord after U.S. pulls out (updated)](https://archive.curbed.com/2017/6/1/15726376/paris-accord-climate-change-mayors-trump)** > > A growing number of mayors pledge to uphold the global climate commitment after President Donald Trump announced his intent to withdraw from the Paris agreement. ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/16 "2017-06-02T12:17:35Z")
I believe the, what, 10th largest economy in the world, California, will continue to abide by the Paris agreements, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/17 "2017-06-02T12:32:28Z")
Is this just the break the Clinton campaign was hoping for? Or is this kind of comment really irrelevant to the matter under discussion? I always thought it was, when its incarnation was “…the Romney campaign…” or the “McCain campaign.” But obviously my opinion was in the minority, judging from the enthusiastic use of the tactic. In looking at it now, I still think it’s irrelevant. But I’m curious about others’ reactions. Maybe I was missing something all those years? ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/18 "2017-06-02T12:41:22Z")
I think he withdrew from the accord for a much simpler reason. Obama did it and therefore it needs to be undone. Trump put no more thought into it than that. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/19 "2017-06-02T12:53:16Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > It’s an election promise. More than that, it’s one he can actually fulfill. I think it really is that simple. And keep in mind that it was a campaign promise _because_ it’s what his supporters want. It also has the added benefit of distracting the press & liberals from the Russia stuff. Much better to have people mad at him for fulfilling a campaign promise than for suspected treason. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912/20 "2017-06-02T13:05:49Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > I think it really is that simple. And keep in mind that it was a campaign promise _because_ it’s what his supporters want. > > It also has the added benefit of distracting the press & liberals from the Russia stuff. Much better to have people mad at him for fulfilling a campaign promise than for suspected treason. I would propose that he is now being treasonous to the entire human race. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912.md?page=2)