Macron Says "France Won't Deal with Countries that Don't Respect Climate Accord"

Please consider this hoot of the day: Macron Rejects Trade Deals with Countries Outside Paris Climate Accord.

Emmanuel Macron has announced France will no longer accept “commercial agreements” with countries that do not “respect” the Paris Climate Accord during a fiery speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

The French president called for the upholding of trade rules that “guarantee fair competition on equal footing” during his Tuesday speech, following a Monday afternoon meeting with Donald Trump and the US president’s speech on Monday morning. Mr Macron appeared defiant towards Mr Trump, suggesting he’d no longer negotiate trade deals with the US after its withdrawal from the climate agreement last year.

“We will no longer sign commercial agreements with powers that do not respect the Paris accord,” Mr Macron said without directly referencing Mr Trump or the US.

What a Hoot

I suggest France start with Germany.

German Parties Agree to Drop 2020 Climate Goal

Politico reports German Parties Agree to Drop 2020 Climate Goal

Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) agreed during preliminary coalition talks to give up the country’s climate goal for 2020, according to media reports.

The two blocs decided that reaching the goal — to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 — is unrealistic.

Germany Fails Paris Climate Accord Test

Climate Home News reports Germany’s New government Deal fails the Paris Climate Accord Test.

It’s three steps forward and four back as Angela Merkel resumes government in coalition with the social democrats.

The new coalition no longer aims to reach the German 2020 climate target in time. With this announcement, Germany officially steps down as an international climate champion and undermines the Paris Agreement as a whole.

Hypocrisy Abounds

The Daily Signal reports Germany Becomes the New Poster Child for Climate Change Hypocrisy

Color me not at all surprised that Germany, a vocal critic of the U.S.’ decision to exit the Paris climate accord, is preparing to abandon its 2020 climate targets.

Trump vs Merkel

Trump is at least honest about this. Merkel criticizes Trump and Germany is at least as bad thanks to Merkel's willingness to look the other way about German-manufactured cars.

So much for the “go green and grow the economy” mantra.

OK Macron, unless you are an even bigger hypocrite than Merkel, please step up to the plate and refuse deals with Germany, the US, the UK, and China.

Talk is cheap.