The National Black Chamber of Commerce is urging President Trump to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement negotiated by President Obama, saying it would “undermine” the American economy.
Chamber President Harry C. Alford, in an open letter dated Friday, said the Paris deal is “skewed” against the U.S. and will impose trillions of dollars of regulatory costs on American businesses, while allowing competitors in China and India to increase their own greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr. Trump had promised during the campaign to cancel the agreement, but his administration is now debating whether that’s the right path. Some of his closest advisers are urging the U.S. to remain.
Mr. Alford told him to end the debate and withdraw.
“On behalf of the millions of African Americans who have a stake in the businesses represented by the National Black Chamber of Commerce, I respectfully call on you today to keep yet another critical promise to the American people: Withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement,” he wrote.
The letter is a striking break with Mr. Obama, the country’s first black president — though Mr. Alford broke with the Obama administration over other environmental policies in the past.
The chamber has been an advocate for plentiful and secure U.S. energy.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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