In a move that has sent shockwaves through the international community, Argentina’s newly elected far-right President, Javier Milei, is reportedly considering withdrawing the country from the landmark Paris climate agreement. The alarming development comes on the heels of Milei’s controversial meeting with former US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Sources close to the Argentinian government have revealed that Milei, a self-proclaimed climate change skeptic, ordered his negotiators to abruptly leave the ongoing COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, after just three days of participation. This sudden departure has fueled speculation that the president is gearing up to announce Argentina’s formal exit from the Paris accord, a move that would have far-reaching consequences for global efforts to combat climate change.
A Meeting of Climate Change Skeptics
Milei’s meeting with Trump, the first since the US president-elect’s victory, has raised eyebrows and heightened concerns among environmentalists worldwide. The Argentinian leader, known for his inflammatory rhetoric and hardline stance on various issues, was photographed alongside Trump, Elon Musk, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Mar-a-Lago gathering before delivering a keynote address.
During his presidential campaign last year, Milei infamously referred to the climate crisis as a “socialist lie” and vowed to pull Argentina out of the Paris agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Although he later appeared to backtrack on this pledge, the recent developments have reignited fears that Milei may follow through on his original promise.
Trump’s Influence on Global Climate Action
Donald Trump, who has already announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris accord for a second time, is seen as a key influencer in Milei’s decision-making process. In 2016, Trump’s initial withdrawal from the agreement sent shockwaves through the international community, although no other countries followed suit at the time.
Now, with Trump poised to re-enter the White House in January 2025, his allies are pushing for a more permanent US exit from the Paris deal and potentially even the underlying United Nations climate framework. Tom Pyle, president of the conservative American Energy Alliance, urged Trump to take a more aggressive approach, stating, “President Trump can certainly announce his intention to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement, but he should take it a step further and submit the treaty to the Senate, which is what has supposed to happen in the first place.”
Domestic Opposition and International Concerns
While Milei’s foreign minister, Gerardo Werthein, has indicated that Argentina is “re-evaluating [its] strategy on all matters related to climate change,” observers note that any attempt to withdraw from the Paris agreement will likely face significant domestic opposition. Oscar Soria, the Argentina director of the Common Initiative thinktank, emphasized that such a move would not be easy to implement, as it would require the approval of the Argentine parliament.
“Milei’s environmental policy is driven by ideological biases that conflict with science and international law. His anti-Agenda 2030 framework, fuelled by misinformation and extremist doctrine, is a dangerous cocktail that is already affecting – and will continue to affect – the well-being of Argentines,”
– Oscar Soria, Argentina director of the Common Initiative thinktank
As tensions rise between the EU and South America over a potential trade deal with the Mercosur bloc, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to meet with Milei in Buenos Aires ahead of the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil. The international community will be closely watching these developments, as Argentina’s potential withdrawal from the Paris agreement could have significant implications for global climate action.
The Path Forward
Despite the growing concerns surrounding Argentina’s stance on the Paris accord, experts maintain that global climate action will continue, with or without the South American nation’s participation. As Soria pointed out, “This was proven true in the case of the United States when Trump decided to leave the Paris agreement in 2017. Many far-right leaders have underestimated the Paris agreement before. This group seems destined to do the same.”
As the world awaits Milei’s final decision, the international community remains committed to the goals outlined in the Paris agreement. The potential withdrawal of Argentina serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in the fight against climate change and the need for unwavering global cooperation in the face of political adversity.
