U.S. vs. Other 19

19 countries in Group of 20 left United States alone on the issue for sustainable environment of the planet, climate change. G20 Leaders Declaration reconfirmed strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, from which U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew as soon as his inauguration. G20 also declared fighting protectionism, which Trump administration upheld. The “indispensable ally” for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is now an orphan among the major countries.

The Leaders declaration clearly described strange behavior of U.S. “We take note of the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The United States of America announced it will immediately cease the implementation of its current nationally-determined contribution and affirms its strong commitment to an approach that lowers emissions while supporting economic growth and improving energy security needs,” told the declaration.

Difference appeared when the declaration said that leaders of the other G20 members recognized Paris Agreement as irreversible. “We reiterated the importance of fulfilling the UNFCCC commitment by developed countries with respect to both mitigation and adaptation actions in line with Paris outcomes and note the OECD’s report “Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth,” referred the declaration, reaffirming strong commitment to the Agreement to move towards full implementation with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized success of G20 as the leader of host country. “United States said what they wanted to say,” told Merkel in her press conference, “and we made our standpoint clear. It was good for us to be able to make clear that the standpoint of U.S. is not our opinion.” It is likely that Paris Agreement survives without U.S.

U.S. and other members had serious negotiation over trade. The leaders declared to “continue to fight protectionism including all unfair trade practices and recognize the role of legitimate trade defense instruments.” U.S. insisted on their policy of focusing on the benefit of bilateral trade. So, the leaders agreed on adding a sentence in the declaration, that was “We further reaffirm the importance of transparency for predictable and mutually beneficial trade relations.”

Prime Minister Abe insisted on the importance of free trade in the group of 19 except U.S. Against his hope, the declaration included no description on nuclear and missile development of North Korea. In a sharp opposition between the continent and U.S., the role of Japan is not obvious.