Friday, February 24, 2017

Ivanka and Jared Saved the Paris Agreement — for Now

Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, may be helping behind the scenes at the White House to preserve the Paris Agreement. (Photo Credit: Michael Vadon / Flickr) Click to Enlarge.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer declined to say yesterday if President Trump remains committed to withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The suggestion of a shift in position comes after Jared Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, two close advisers to the president, worked to remove references to the global climate deal from a new executive order, according to a source.  The measure, aimed at dismantling carbon policies initiated by the Obama administration, is expected to be released soon but no longer contains language opposing the Paris Agreement.

Moving to quit the international pact is increasingly seen by Republicans as a knottier effort than staying in and, instead, potentially downplaying U.S. commitments struck by the former administration on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  The agreement isn't legally binding.

"The question is, for businesses, is it worth the political and economic capital that you would have to invest to take the U.S. out of Paris?  I think the answer is probably no," said Frank Maisano of Bracewell LLP, a firm representing energy companies.

Read more at Ivanka and Jared Saved the Paris Agreement — for Now

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