US President Donald Trump said the Paris Agreement on Climate Change brings financial and economic burdens to the US and the US withdrawal from the agreement represents a reassertion of America’s sovereignty.

The Paris Agreement, signed by former US President Barack Obama in 2015, engages 195 countries. This was the first time in history that an international agreement received such a strong and large participation showing the international community’s support for efforts to cope with climate change. Under the agreement, countries, both rich and poor, are committed to reduce GHG emission caused by fossil fuels, which, scientists confirmed, are the reason for global warming.

France, Germany, and Italy stated that Mr. Trump’s decision will negatively affect the interests of the US and American citizens and described it a “historic mistake”. The leaders of the three countries said in a rare joint statement that the Paris agreement is irreversible and it cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for the planet, societies and economies. Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron encouraged their partners to speed up their action to combat climate change. Mexican President Enrique Pena Niet reiterated that Mexico will fully realize its commitments to the Paris Agreement. European Commissioner for Climate Miguel Arias Canete said the Paris climate agreement cannot be renegotiated despite the US’s withdrawal.

The US is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, right behind China. Under the Paris Agreement, the US plans to reduce emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. Despite Trump’s decision, countries around the world are committed to continuing the Paris Agreement.