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Washington: The White House will formally tell the United Nations on Friday that it intends to abandon the Paris agreement on climate change but remains open to "re-engaging" on the accord.
The United States will participate in UN climate negotiations later this year despite its planned withdrawal, according to the administration's statement of intent.
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The letter has no legal weight and does not set in motion the United States' departure from the pact of nearly 200 nations to curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Rather, those familiar with it said, it is a political document that affirms President Donald Trump's declaration in June that the Paris agreement is a "bad deal" for the United States.
"As the President indicated in his June 1 announcement and subsequently, he is open to re-engaging in the Paris Agreement if the US can identify terms that are more favourable to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, and its taxpayers," the White House statement says.
When Mr Trump revealed his decision to withdraw from the accord, he suggested the United States might be willing to stay if he could "make a deal that's fair."
President Emmanuel Macron of France, after inviting Mr Trump to Paris, said he believed he may have convinced the US President to stay in the climate accord.
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"We talked in detail about what could enable him to come back into the Paris accords," Mr Macron told reporters.
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According to the White House announcement, the United States will continue to participate in UN climate discussions, including one in Bonn, Germany, in November aimed at fleshing out the Paris agreement.
US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One en route to New Jersey to begin his summer vacation. The White House will this week officially notify the UN of its intention to leave the Paris climate accord. Photo: AP
Continued American presence at such talks is to "protect US interests and ensure all future policy options remain open to the administration," the White House statement says.
The announcement adds that the United States "supports a balanced approach to climate policy that lowers emissions while promoting economic growth an ensuring energy security."
French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters he believed he may have convinced US President Donald Trump to re-engage with the Paris climate accord. Photo: AP
In language that mirrors wording the White House team was able to insert in G20 discussions, it calls for working with other nations to "help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently."
Under terms of the Paris accord, the United States cannot formally begin the process of withdrawal until November 4, 2019.