Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has publicly express support for the U.S. to remain a party to the Paris climate agreement, was noncommittal at an Arctic Council meeting this week. While he pledged the U.S. would continue to protect the area’s “fragile environment” he also said the U.S. is “not going to rush” its ultimate decision on the international deal.
“We’re going to work to make the right decision for the United States,” he said.
Tillerson joined the ministers of the other Arctic nations in signing a closing statement acknowledging the impacts of climate change on the Arctic Circle and the need for action.