ROME �� U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt was recalled from Group of Seven climate talks in Italy.
Pruitt, who as EPA chief successfully campaigned for the U.S. to quit the Paris climate agreement, was to leave Bologna, Italy, Sunday for a meeting with President Donald Trump, said a spokesman for the G-7 talks, Davide Russo. Jane Nishida, acting EPA assistant administrator, was to attend in his place.
Pruitt's early departure from the discussions may further obstruct plans by environment ministers at the two-day meeting. The delegates from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.K. were planning to issue a communique Monday on a range of environmental issues, including climate change.
Expectations for the G-7 talks were already low, given Trump's decision June 1 to withdraw from the Paris agreement that was signed in 2015 by almost 200 nations. His plans to renegotiate a more favorable deal for the U.S. have been rebuffed by the leaders of Germany, France and Italy.
