Paris deal bad for environment, US President Donald Trump would welcome a revised climate deal: McMaster

US President Donald Trump, with National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster, speaks during a security briefing on August 10, 2017, at his Bedminster National Golf Club in New Jersey. (Photos by AFP)

US President Donald Trump would welcome a revised climate deal that addresses his “legitimate concerns” over the Paris deal, suggests National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.

The general appeared on Fox News on Sunday to reject reports alleging over the weekend that the administration might reconsider pulling out of the deal as Trump had instructed before.

“That's a false report,” McMaster said, further questioning the benefits of the Paris deal for the environment and the American people.

Greenpeace activists protest against climate-damaging cars with an installation with a car set-up upright and banners reading "the oil age is ending" on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on September 12, 2017. 

“The president decided to pull out of the Paris accord because it's a bad deal for the American people and it's a bad deal for the environment,” he asserted.

The US national security adviser also indicated that the Republican “president’s ears are open,” for a revised version of the deal.

“The president's ears are open if, at some point, they decide they can come forward with an agreement that addresses the president's very legitimate concerns with Paris,” McMaster said.

'Leaving door open'

A picture taken on September 7, 2017 in Montjean-sur-Loire, western France, shows the dry river bed of the Loire.

Appearing on ABC’s “This Week,” McMaster left even more room for a reconsideration.

“What the president has said is that we are withdrawing from the Paris accord. He left the door open to reentering at some later time if there can be a better deal for the United States,” the national security adviser said. “He's open to any discussions that will help us improve the environment, that will help us ensure energy security and will advance our prosperity and the prosperity of American workers and American businesses.”

He added that it is “certainly” possible for the United States to stick to a new agreement, “If there's an agreement that benefits the American people.”

Like the president himself, the Trump administration officials have maintained an ambiguous stance towards the deal, at times leaving the door open for rejoining the historic accord.

In June, Trump said he was withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, a move that would have profound effects on the planet and deepen a rift with American allies.

He has described the deal as unfair to American workers and an obstacle for production.

Since the 2016 presidential campaign, the New York billionaire has taken a hard stance on climate change; at times calling it a “Chinese hoax.”

He had vowed to cancel the deal in order to bolster US oil and coal giants, which bankrolled his campaign.