Donald Trump has announced that he will begin the process of withdrawing the US from the Paris climate agreement.
The US president said he was elected by the citizens of steel-making town Pittsburgh and "not Paris."
"As of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris accord," he said.
"As someone who cares deeply about our environment, I cannot in good conscience support a deal which punishes the United States," he said.
"The Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States."
The president singled out India, which he said received favourable treatment under the accord.
Mr Trump said he was willing to renegotiate the deal but his remarks suggest it is not among his administration's priorities.
"If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine," he said.
The US will now begin the lengthy exit process, which means it will remain in the agreement for another three and a half years.
The leaders of France, Germany and Italy reacted to Mr Trump's decision "with regret" but said the deal could be renegotiated.