All four of the foreign leaders involved in calls with the president expressed regret over President Donald Trump's decision. | Getty Trump to foreign leaders: U.S. will be 'most environmentally friendly country on Earth'

President Donald Trump told foreign leaders on Thursday that despite announcing his intent to withdraw the U.S. from the landmark Paris climate agreement, America will still "be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth," according to a White House statement.

During calls with heads of state from Germany, France, Canada and the United Kingdom, the president "reassured the leaders that America remains committed to the Transatlantic alliance and to robust efforts to protect the environment," according to a readout of the discussions provided by the White House.


Trump, the White House press secretary's office said, also "noted America’s strong record in reducing emissions and leading the development of clean energy technology."

The decision to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement dealt a grievous blow to climate advocates worldwide. With the move, the U.S. will be only one of three countries -- joining Syria and Nicaragua -- who have not signed the deal, which when implemented was considered one of former President Barack Obama's crowning achievements and one of the largest international agreements aimed at addressing climate change ever.

All four of the foreign leaders involved in calls with the president expressed regret over the White House's decision to remove the U.S. from the international climate accord Thursday.

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"We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Thursday following Trump's announcement.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed regret over the administration's decision, according to the Associated Press, vowing to continue working to "save our earth." British Prime Minister Theresa May told the White House she was disappointed in their decision to move forward with the withdrawal, according to a statement by British officials. French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet that while he respected Trump's decision, he thought the move was "a mistake for our planet."

Borrowing from Trump's signature campaign slogan, Macron called on the world to "make our planet great again."