Business and world leaders criticise Trump’s Paris exit

President Donald Trump may have softened his message on the Paris climate accord with suggestions that the US could re-enter it or some other international agreement after renegotiation, but initial reactions from businesses, politicians and interest groups focused on his headline decision to withdraw.

Many responses were critical, raising concerns about the consequences for the climate and for the US economy. Two members of the White House’s business councils — Tesla’s Elon Musk and Walt Disney’s Bob Iger — said they would leave the advisory groups.

Some were supportive, particularly the coal industry which seems likely to be the most direct beneficiary of Mr Trump’s climate and energy strategy.

But the critics often argued that the structural shift in world energy markets towards renewables and away from fossil fuels would continue, regardless of Mr Trump’s decision...............

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