Macron effect? Donald Trump hints US could change position on Paris climate deal

Donald Trump drew widespread criticism when he announced on June 1 that US would quit the Paris climate deal.

US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday he could change his position on the Paris climate accord, in remarks after talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris. (AFP Photo)

“Something could happen,” he said at a joint news conference with Macron, six weeks after announcing that the United States would abandon the 2015 pact.

“Something could happen with respect to the Paris accords lets see what happens, but we will talk about that over the coming period of time and if it happens that will be wonderful and if it doesn’t that’ll be OK too,” he told reporters in Paris

Macron said he “respected” Trump’s decision but France remained committed to the accord.

Earlier on Thursday, the 39-year-old French leader said he had a “strong disagreement... about the climate” deal, with Trump, adding: “I hope in the end to be able to persuade him.”

Trump, whose country is the world’s second biggest producer of greenhouse gases after China, drew widespread criticism when he announced on June 1 that US would quit the pact.