Rick Perry Skirts Question of Trump’s Stance on Climate Change
The United States is still going to be very engaged in that." Asked whether Mr. Trump agreed with him, Mr. Perry said: "That’s what I believe and I’m telling you the United States is still going to be a leader in technologies and innovation
that make a real difference in the air that we breathe."
Mr. Perry, who was in the capital for a three-day visit to discuss nuclear power and liquid natural gas exports with Japanese officials, said the United States would "continue to be a leader in the climate issue." But, he added, "This deflection of ‘Oh, let’s go talk about do you really think
that you have a president that believes in the climate at this level,’ well, then, I’m sorry, I’m just not going to participate in that.
I’m going to tell you: Watch us." Ever since Mr. Trump announced last week
that he would abandon the agreement for environmental action that was signed by 195 nations, most of his aides have deflected questions about whether the president believes in climate change and the role of human activity in global warming.
Koichi Yamamoto, the environment minister, told reporters last week
that Mr. Trump had "turned his back on the wisdom of human beings." But supporters of renewable energy in Japan said they hoped states, cities and companies in the United States would continue to address global warming.
By MOTOKO RICHJUNE 5, 2017
TOKYO — With President Trump coming under international criticism for his decision to withdraw the
United States from the Paris climate accord, his actual views on climate change remain a mystery.
Ms. Haley told CNN that the president "believes the climate is changing," and
that "pollutants are part of that equation." In Tokyo, Mr. Perry declined to indicate whether he had encouraged the president to remain in the accord.