“The US is not sending any high-level representatives to COP30,” a White House official told Reuters and AFP, adding that Trump’s energy agenda is focused on “direct engagement” with world leaders through trade and security partnerships that emphasize fossil fuel cooperation.
The decision comes as Trump moves forward with plans to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement by the end of the year. He’s repeatedly criticized global climate efforts as being unfair to American workers, calling climate change the “greatest con job” during last month’s UN General Assembly speech.
On his first day back in office, Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris accord for a second time after President Biden rejoined, arguing that it was “one-sided” and bad for the US economy. That withdrawal will take effect in January 2026.
He’s since rolled out executive orders to boost oil, gas, and coal production—declaring a “national energy emergency” to fast-track drilling permits and expand extraction on federal lands. His administration also scrapped Biden-era methane limits and has pushed liquefied natural gas exports abroad.
Critics claim theTrump admin's actions have weakened global attempts to keep warming below 1.5°C (2.7°F) . The White House says the “tide is turning” on how nations approach climate change and reject arbitrary pacts like the Paris agreement, pointing to a memo by Bill Gates suggesting it’s time to shift away from strict global temperature goals.
The two-week COP30 conference, hosted by Brazilian President Lula da Silva in the Amazon city of Belém, will focus on rainforest protection and financing for developing nations.
