Upon taking office, Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which he labeled as an "unfair, one-sided hoax." This decision drew significant criticism from experts and scientists, who argued that it was extremely detrimental for the country. European Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra indicated that this action demonstrated a "clear lack of leadership" and would severely damage the reputation of the United States internationally. Trump's stance reflected a prioritization of domestic fossil fuel industries over global climate commitments.

In addition to withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, Trump declared a "national energy emergency" on his first day in office to justify the maximization of fossil fuel extraction. Notably, the United States had already reached historical levels of oil extraction under the previous administration. Within the first 100 days of his presidency, Trump took at least 145 actions aimed at rolling back environmental protection regulations, which was more than during his entire previous term in office. This aggressive approach highlighted his administration's focus on deregulating the fossil fuel industry at the expense of environmental protections.

Throughout his presidency, Trump's policies reflected a broader rejection of climate change science and international cooperation on environmental issues. The long-term implications of these actions are significant, as they not only affect the US's domestic environment but also its standing in global discussions on climate change, where leadership and commitment to agreements are crucial for collective action against global warming. The move away from collaborative international efforts could hinder effective responses to climate challenges, potentially leading to irreversible damage to the environment on a global scale.