Trump touts oil and gas development, presses for hydro
In defending his working relationship with Russia, President Trump today gave a full-throated endorsement for “massive” oil and gas development while downplaying wind power.
“I am for massive oil and gas and everything else, and a lot of energy,” Trump said at a news conference alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin “can’t love that.”
Trump said, “Hillary [Clinton], my opponent, was for windmills, and she was for other types of energy that don’t have the same capacities at this moment, certainly.”
The president was responding to a question initially offered to Solberg about whether it’s better to work with Russia, as opposed to working against the country.
Solberg called Russia an important international player but added that Norway stands in solidarity with international sanctions.
The president also used the news conference to criticize the Paris climate accord, which Norway continues to support. When asked what would persuade the United States to remain, Trump said the agreement wasn’t a major topic in his discussions with Solberg.
The deal threatened to put “great penalties” on the U.S. for using its domestic gas, coal and oil, said the president. As before, he left open the door to renegotiation.
“Frankly, it’s an agreement I have no problem with, but I had a problem with the agreement they signed,” he said. “As usual, they made a bad deal. We could conceivably go back in.”
When Solberg responded that Norway has beneficial regulations in place to comply with Paris while boosting the economy, Trump pointed out the Scandinavian has “tremendous” hydropower.
“I wish we’d do some of that,” Trump added.