Global Energy Security Post-US Withdrawal from Paris Accord

On 20 January, for the second time, President Trump signed an Executive Order that starts the process of withdrawing the US from the 2015 Paris Agreement, an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

While Trump is not in favour of proactive measures to reduce emissions, green energy activity such as the prevalence of new technology like solar, wind and battery power has continued. US investment in key minerals supply chains to support these markets is essential to diversify supply away from China.

Dan Marks, RUSI Research Fellow for Energy Security, and Henry Sanderson, RUSI Associate Fellow and green energy expert, discuss the role of critical minerals in the US president's foreign policy, and whether his focus on energy production is driven primarily by defence considerations or economic interests.