Illustration: Lazaro Gamio / Axios
Syria announced its plans to sign the Paris Climate accord during United Nations climate talks on Tuesday, per the New York Times. The move, which follows Nicaragua's announcement to participate in the agreement last month, means the U.S. is now the only country opposed to participating in the pact.
Why it matters: Syria joining the climate pact underscores — but won't change — the Trump administration's lone position withdrawing from it. It provides a talking point to those urging the president to rejoin, but the calculations inside the White House have nothing to do with what other countries are doing, and everything to do with how the deal could (or couldn't) help America.
White House spokeswoman, Kelly Love, said the administration's position regarding the accord remains the same, and pointed reporters to the statement that was released following Nicaragua's announcement to join the pact: "[T]he United States is withdrawing unless we can re-enter on terms the are more favorable for our country," the statement said.
Go deeper: Why Trump is pulling out of the Paris climate deal