US Withdraws from UN Climate Change Treaty

US President Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from dozens of international organisations, including many that work to combat climate change. The decision includes withdrawing from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a key treaty underpinning global efforts to combat global warming. The White House stated that the decision was taken because these entities 'no longer serve American interests' and promote 'ineffective or hostile agendas'. This move is seen as another sign of the administration's 'authoritarian' and 'anti-science' stance, with critics describing it as a 'new low'. The decision could face legal challenges as the US Constitution does not specify the process for withdrawing from treaties.

The Trump administration has announced its intention to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a foundational international agreement aimed at mitigating climate change. This move, if successful, would make the US the first country to exit the treaty, potentially isolating it from global climate discussions and straining relationships with allies who prioritize climate action. The UNFCCC, ratified by the US in 1992, sets a framework for international cooperation on climate change, including the negotiation of subsequent agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. Critics, including former Secretary of State John Kerry, argue that this withdrawal is detrimental to US interests and beneficial to countries like China, allowing them to avoid climate responsibility. The decision is part of a broader review of international agreements under the Trump administration, resulting in the US withdrawing from 66 international organizations deemed not to serve American interests.

China's economy has weathered US tariffs and technology curbs, and continues to innovate despite challenges, according to the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party. The editorial argues that the US trade war has spurred 'independent innovation' in China, with the list of 'chokepoint technologies' narrowing and the list of independently controlled technologies growing. Recent economic data has been positive, with improvements in indicators such as prices and corporate profitability in the fourth quarter of 2025. The editorial concludes that China's economic fundamentals are solid and its resilience strong, and that it is capable of withstanding external pressures.

US President Donald Trump has announced that he is withdrawing the United States from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a bedrock international agreement aimed at reining in climate change. The decision is part of a broader move by the Trump administration to pull out of numerous international organizations and treaties deemed not to serve American interests. Critics argue that this move isolates the US from the global community on climate change and undermines decades of international cooperation. The withdrawal is expected to take effect in a year and will impact the US' participation in annual climate negotiations.