By MICHAEL BIESECKER and PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — An AP Fact Check finds holes in President Donald Trump’s reasoning for pulling the U.S. out of a landmark international agreement on fighting climate change.

The White House says the Paris accord would “effectively decapitate” the American coal industry. Yet the industry has been in decline for many years, and the primary cause is competition from natural gas.

Trump also cited a study as evidence the agreement would cost millions of American jobs. He didn’t say the study was paid for by two groups that are opposed to environmental regulations. And they receive backing from those who profit from the continued use of fossil fuels.

The White House portrays the impact of the accord on the Earth’s climate as negligible. But an expert says that’s based on an outdated report.