World Leaders Condemn Trump as Climate Summit Kicks Off

Fri Nov 07 2025 00:23:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

At the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, world leaders have sharply criticized President Trump for his climate inaction, labeling him a liar and calling for decisive action against climate change.

As COP30 begins in the Amazonian city of Belém, world leaders have united in their criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump, who chose not to attend. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer highlighted the lost political consensus on climate action, while Brazilian President Lula warned against extremists spreading misinformation about climate change. The summit aims to negotiate new climate action plans and raise funds for forest protection amid absences from several major countries.

As COP30 commences in Belém, world leaders have taken to the stage to condemn U.S. President Donald Trump for his perceived inaction on climate change. This gathering, crucial in the battle against global warming, featured pointed critiques of Trump's rejection of climate science, with some leaders labeling him a liar for rolling back significant climate policies.

The atmosphere was tense as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remarked on the diminishing global consensus regarding climate issues, saying, climate change was once a unity issue but today however, sadly that consensus is gone. The discussions at this two-week event will focus on creating new agreements centered on enhancing financial contributions to protect critical ecosystems, particularly forests that play a vital role in fighting climate change.

Despite the urgency of the situation, many prominent leaders, including those of India, Russia, and China, are notable absentees from this year's summit, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the negotiations. Trump's absence does not seem to lessen the weight of his views in proceedings, as echoed by international leaders expressing their frustrations.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva alluded to Trump's dismissal of climate issues without mentioning him directly, stating, extremist forces are fabricating fake news and condemning future generations to a planet forever altered by global warming. He emphasized the need for leadership to support environmental protections.

The criticisms of Trump were well-received, but achieving consensus on actionable climate measures has stalled. Only a minority of leaders are present in Belém, and many countries have not submitted updated plans to cut carbon emissions, the leading cause of climate change. The urgency was further highlighted in the context of extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Melissa, which recently caused widespread devastation in the Caribbean.

In closing remarks, both UK leaders and international figures have urged for swift action in this critical moment, with calls to prioritize the future generations facing the consequences of today’s climate policies.