Europe's answer to America First must be partnership and cooperation

“Climate change is a reality. It is coming. It will be big and dramatic and we can only try to limit it,” said Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, during a debate in plenary on the Paris Agreement.

“We Europeans can be proud that we have been the driving force, together with our partners, in making the Paris Agreement possible. This is why we will not accept US withdrawal from the agreement and we will not follow that path,” he said. 

“How do we react to this decision? First, with frustration. But then with even greater determination, because we feel responsible for future generations."

"Donald Trump is making a historic mistake against the interests of his own citizens.”

“'America First' means egoism. Europeans will respond with partnership and cooperation,” he concluded. 

Manfred Weber expressed the support of the EPP Group for the President of the Marshall Islands, who was in plenary today to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on her country.