Countries Facing Pressure from the U.S. to Relinquish Renewable Energy Commitments and Climate Agreements
In recent months, there have been no publicly available reports or credible sources indicating that the USA has pressured specific countries to abandon their climate protection initiatives in favor of increased reliance on fossil fuels such as natural gas. However, the US has taken other actions that raise concerns about its commitment to combating climate change.
One such action involves the US rejection of the agreement reached by the members of the International Maritime Organization to impose a fee on carbon emissions from shipping. This decision, along with others, suggests a focus on restoring America's energy dominance, ensuring energy independence, and driving down costs, as stated by Taylor Rogers, a White House spokesperson.
Yet, not everyone shares this optimistic view. Economist Paul Krugman, in a critique published on Substack, asserts that the Trump administration's foreign policy doctrine is based on the motto "Oderint dum metuant" - let them hate as long as they fear. Krugman argues that the world does not fear the US and that it does not need the US, and he believes that the current US president has ripped up the foundations of the Pax Americana.
This perspective is shared by many European officials, who are alarmed by the US pressure on their countries regarding clean energy policies. In early 2025, the US president declared an "energy emergency" to reward fossil fuel interests, and the US has promised tariffs, visa restrictions, and port fees on countries that vote for a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector.
Moreover, the US aims to establish "energy dominance" and supplant OPEC on the international energy stage. The US is planning to build LNG terminals in the Gulf of Mozambique, which will export climate-killing fuel to countries other than the US. This move, according to Krugman, is likely to benefit China the most, as the US's deliberate assault on its allies is damaging its leadership on the world stage.
However, it's important to note that not all voices within the US government share this perspective. Chris Wright, the head of the US Energy Department, warned that the US could end its support for the International Energy Agency due to its prediction of global oil demand peak. This suggests a more nuanced view within the US administration, acknowledging the potential long-term challenges posed by reliance on fossil fuels.
Despite this, Krugman concludes that the US's actions under the current administration will make other nations turn their backs on America and go in search of other allies. He states that the US's role in world affairs depends on having allies who trust its promises, and the US's focus on grievances and settling scores is damaging its leadership on the world stage. This perspective raises questions about the future of US-international relations and the global response to climate change.
