G20 Leaders Reaffirm Commitment To Universal Health Coverage; All But Trump Recommit To Paris Agreement
Project Syndicate: The G20’s Harmony Without Trump
Jeffrey D. Sachs, professor at Columbia University, director of Columbia’s Center for Sustainable Development and of the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network
“…[U.S. President] Trump’s ‘America First’ is a brazen affront to Kantian ethics and a threat to peace. His break with the rest of the world on the Paris climate agreement is his most chilling act of naked self-interest so far. … The question ahead of the G20 summit was therefore clear: Would other countries follow the U.S. in recklessly putting self-interest above the common good? … All other G20 countries had resisted the U.S. ploy. The communiqué was simple, accurate, and reassuring on climate change: ‘The leaders of the other G20 members state that the Paris Agreement is irreversible … We reaffirm our strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, moving swiftly towards its full implementation…’ … On several other global issues, a full consensus was reached. … All G20 leaders recommitted their countries to universal health coverage (another clear message to Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Paul Ryan), and to strengthening health systems. They reiterated their commitment to sustainable development and to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals…” (7/11).
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