Welcome back to The Strawman, the daily climate newsletter that sticks around longer than some climate commitments. Today, we’re diving into Argentina’s potential exit from the Paris Agreement and Trump’s latest green funding freeze.

Argentina's Climate Plot Twist

Argentina’s President Javier Milei is thinking about ghosting the Paris Agreement, taking inspiration from Donald Trump’s “it’s not you, it’s me” approach to climate policy. Milei, never one to hold back, says environmentalism has gone too “woke” and claims it’s strangling economic growth.

If Argentina walks, it could spell trouble—especially for its trade deals with the EU, which doesn’t exactly love doing business with climate quitters. And let’s not forget the billions in green funding Argentina’s been cashing in on. Leaving now is like going up to the teacher you hated in school, taking their lunch and just walking off — it’s rude, but your friends, the United States, might respect the hustle.

But hey, Milei’s got a track record of making bold moves. The question is, will Congress go along for the ride, or will Argentina’s climate commitments live to see another day?

Trump Hits Pause on Green Money

Back in the US, Trump wasted no time pulling the emergency brake on $300 billion in green infrastructure funding. If it had Biden’s name on it, it’s probably on ice now. Wind farms, EV factories, and solar projects? All facing an uncertain future.

The Department of Energy scrambled to push as much cash out the door as possible before Trump’s return, but now it’s all tied up in bureaucratic limbo. Investors are sweating, and clean energy stocks like Rivian took a dive faster than you can say “executive order.”

The IRA’s tax credits are still safe—for now—but it’s clear Trump’s playbook is all about reviving fossil fuels and putting the brakes on clean energy. If you’re in the renewables game, it’s time to start hedging your bets (or looking for an escape plan—either way, not investment advice).

Climate Deals: Signed, Sealed... But Delivered?

From Argentina to the US, sticking to climate commitments seems harder than actually reducing emissions. Governments love signing flashy agreements and making big promises, but when it comes time to follow through? Suddenly, everyone’s busy.

If Argentina bails on the Paris Agreement, it could derail their global reputation and future trade opportunities. Meanwhile, the US is showing just how fragile climate policy can be—one election cycle and it’s like none of it ever happened.

It’s a reminder that when it comes to climate, political promises are kind of like New Year’s resolutions—great in theory, but easily forgotten when things get inconvenient.

The Strawman Takeaway

Whether it’s Argentina rethinking its commitments or the US hitting pause on green funding, climate promises are only as good as the leaders behind them.

In the meantime, the world keeps warming—policy or no policy.