Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday signed a declaration by the Arctic Council that the northern region is warming at more than twice the global average, but refused to pledge U.S. support to international climate agreements.
Tillerson met in Fairbanks, Alaska, with leaders from seven other Arctic nations for the biannual meeting to address global warming as it pertains to the Arctic.
“We are appreciative that each of you has an important point of view, and you should know that we are taking the time to understand your concerns,” Tillerson told attendees. “We’re not going to rush to make a decision. We’re going to work to make the right decision for the United States.”
The event took place two days after the White House announced President Trump will not decide whether to leave or remain a part of the Paris climate deal until after the G7 meeting at the end of May.
Tillerson maintained that the council will remain a critical platform as the Trump administration develops its policy.
The U.S. is a member of the Arctic Council because of Alaska’s location. Other member nations inlude Canada, Russia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Although Tillerson’s statement was noncommital at best, it did ease some leaders’ fears that the top U.S. diplomat would announce intentions to withdraw from the Paris agreement.
Tillerson told Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom that the U.S. is focused on nailing its position then deciding if various agreements fit to its mold, according to an Associated Press interview.
