A billion dollars to reverse several pro-environmental policies. This is, according to information from Washington Post, the promise made by Donald Trump to oil sector officials. According to the daily, which cites anonymous sources, the Republican tycoon, candidate of the American right in the presidential election, would have promised to leaders of oil companies to reverse several policies favorable to the environment, which would hamper their industry , if he was elected next November.
This meeting was held on April 11 at his Florida residence in Mar-a-Lago. Among the twenty business leaders and executives invited were officials from Venture Global, Cheniere Energy, Chevron and Exxon, according to a list obtained by the American daily.
Donald Trump notably, according to the Washington Post, committed to immediately ending the Biden administration’s freeze on permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. He also reportedly said he would call for bids for more oil drilling concessions in the Gulf of Mexico and roll back restrictions on drilling in Arctic Alaska. THE New York Times also reported on the Mar-a-Lago meeting and Donald Trump’s call for officials to donate $1 billion to his campaign. According to participants who confided in Washington Post, Donald Trump told his hosts that the $1 billion was a “windfall” because of the tax breaks and regulations they would avoid with it.
Ungenerous oil tankers
At this point, according to an analysis by the advocacy group Climate Power, oil donors and their allies have contributed $6.4 million to Donald Trump’s joint fundraising committee in the first three months. of this year. A sum probably very low compared to the hopes of the former president.
Donald Trump’s request comes after sources told information site Politico that “the US oil industry is preparing executive orders ready for Donald Trump to sign aimed at boosting natural gas exports, reducing drilling costs and increasing offshore oil leases in the event he wins a second term”, as reported International mail.
“A puppet for its biggest donors”
In response, Democrat Joe Biden’s campaign team accused the former president of “selling out working families” in exchange for “donations to his campaign from oil barons.” Joe Biden’s campaign team has accused Donald Trump of acting as a “puppet for his biggest donors.” “Donald Trump doesn’t fight for what’s best for American families, for cheaper energy or for our climate – he only cares about winning this election,” she denounced. “His campaign is struggling with donors and is desperate,” she added.
Contacted by AFP, Donald Trump’s team neither confirmed nor denied the content of the article. “Joe Biden is controlled by environmental extremists who are trying to implement the most radical energy program in history and force Americans to buy electric vehicles they cannot afford,” said a spokesperson for the Republican candidate.
Radically different policies
The contrast between the two candidates on climate policy is striking. Joe Biden pushed through a massive plan to finance the energy transition in 2022. He has called global warming an “existential threat,” and over the past three years his administration has finalized more than 100 new environmental regulations aimed at reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, restricting products toxic chemicals and conserve public lands and waters, reports the Washington Post.
Donald Trump has called climate change a “hoax” and his administration has weakened or eliminated more than 125 environmental rules and policies in four years in office. He also withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement. “Donald Trump behaves like a cartoon villain, offering to liquidate the future of the planet for a check for a billion dollars,” responded the environmental protection association, Evergreen Action, in a press release.
If Donald Trump’s request to the industry is “shocking”, it would not in any case break the law, indicates to Politico Meredith McGehee, an expert on campaign finance and government ethics.