Trump’s Influence Haunts COP30 Climate Summit
The climate talks at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, have taken an unexpected turn this year. While the United States might be missing from the negotiation tables, Donald Trump’s presence is unmistakable—even in absentia. Delegates feel a chill in the air that has nothing to do with the Amazonian climate. Instead, it’s the fear of what a potential Trump comeback could mean for global climate agreements.
Negotiators in Belém are on edge. The possibility of Trump taking office again has left them nervous, second-guessing every commitment and promise. The memory of past climate setbacks and unpredictable policy reversals under his administration is still fresh. Some fear that new agreements could be unraveled overnight if the US changes its stance (again). It’s almost as if Trump has managed to RSVP to COP30 without even boarding a plane.
Is it just me, or does it feel like world leaders need a crash course in group therapy? Maybe the next summit should include a support circle for negotiators with “America-related trust issues.” Until then, it seems the climate crisis isn’t the only thing overheating in Belém.
Sources:
The Guardian – Despite America’s absence, Trump’s influence looms large over Cop30
