Paris climate deal: Elon Musk threatens to quit Donald Trump's advisory council

Brian Fung

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk threatened on Wednesday to resign his position as an adviser to President Donald Trump if the United States withdraws from the Paris climate deal, a remark that highlights Trump's precarious position in a high-stakes international standoff.

Trump could decide as early as this week whether the United States will remain in the historic Paris Agreement, which reflects a voluntary commitment by the world's governments to reduce their carbon emissions.

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Musk said on Twitter that he had done all he could to advise the White House on the deal that was signed in 2016 by 195 countries.

Asked by another Twitter user what would happen if Trump withdraws in spite of Musk's advice, the entrepreneur said he would have "no choice" in the matter.

Don't know which way Paris will go, but I've done all I can to advise directly to POTUS, through others in WH & via councils, that we remain
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 31, 2017

Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

As a technology executive who has cited climate change as a key reason behind his push for electric vehicles, Musk has a personal and professional stake in the United States' climate change policies.

Musk's resignation in protest could reflect a loss of faith in Trump by a key business leader, weakening the economic credibility Trump sought for his administration by appointing nearly 20 powerful CEOs to a advisory council in December. In addition to Musk, Trump named the chief executives of JP Morgan, Disney and IBM to the panel.

Washington Post