A White House spokesman revealed on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump never committed to the G-7 assistance fund of $20 million to help Brazil stop the blazing Amazon fires. Instead, the United States will work directly with the concerned country regarding the matter.
According to CNN, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis clarified that Trump believes there is a lack of direct coordination with the Brazilian government in terms of offering G-7 support.
Marquis noted that the $20 million fund and G-7 initiative "failed to include consultations" with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. He added that this should have been the way forward as it is "the most constructive" strategy.
Marquis' statements contradicted French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Monday regarding the support that G-7 member countries agreed on. He said the package will help take down Amazon fires and the U.S. was definitely all in on the initiative.
The spokesman went on to recall how Washington has been helping engage in conversation projects for the Amazonian forests for years. Analysts said his statements were in line with Bolsonaro's initial rejection of the G-7 funding.
Bolsonaro and Macron engaged in a public spat last week when news of the Amazon fires gripped the world. Macron called out his Brazilian counterpart for his lack of action in the matter, while Bolsonaro said Macron was exaggerating his claims.
Ever since Macron announced the G-7 assistance fund for the Amazonian forests, Bolsonaro said he will only accept the packaged support if Macron retracts his criticism of the Brazilian chief.
Trump did not attend Monday's meeting, but Macron insisted that the U.S. was supportive of the G-7 initiative for the Amazon as the American leader sent a representative in his stead.
Meanwhile, complaints have been piling up about the impact of fires around Amazonian countries. On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that smoke from the fires is affecting the health of children and the elderly in Brazil.
An increase in cases related to respiratory problems has been raised amid news of the government's action to stop the infernos. The outlet said Cosme e Damia Children's hospital saw a spike in children recorded to have respiratory and breathing issues as the Amazonian forests continue to burn.
While the government has started taking action, environmentalists have been pressing Bolsonaro over deforestation as he is a well-known climate change skeptic.
South American countries are scheduled to meet to discuss prompt and appropriate action for the Amazon fires. It is unclear if Trump will be joining the meeting or a White House representative will take part.
