US Skips High-Level Delegation at COP30 in Belém

The U.S. will not send any “high-level” representatives to COP30 in Belém, Brazil next month, a White House official told Reuters and The Hill. The move marks an unprecedented step back from U.S. participation in UN climate summits and reflects the administration’s prioritization of bilateral energy deals over multilateral climate diplomacy. The administration has rolled back climate policies, begun withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and dismantled climate offices and envoy roles. Washington recently threatened visa restrictions and sanctions over an International Maritime Organization plan to curb shipping emissions, a tactic Reuters said helped prompt a postponement of an IMO decision. Other leaders, including China’s Xi, are also expected to skip parts of COP30, which will still host national delegations from around the world.