US Treasury Secretary Accused of Climate Change Policy Corruption, Eventually Even His Wife Turned Away?

Mnuchin Minister's Wife Posts and Deletes SNS Message Supporting Thunberg
Before Mnuchin, Criticism to Study Thunberg's Economics First

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Louise Linton, wife of U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, has expressed support for Greta Thunberg, the teenage environmental activist from Sweden. This drew attention from the U.S. media following Mnuchin's seemingly mocking remarks toward Thunberg.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Mnuchin's wife, Louise Linton, stated on social networking services (SNS), "I support Greta on this issue (climate change). We must boldly reduce the use of fossil fuels. Thunberg's fight must continue." However, Linton's SNS post was later deleted.

Linton's post attracted attention in connection with Mnuchin's earlier remarks. At the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland, Mnuchin addressed Thunberg, saying, "Is he the chief economist? I'm confused," adding, "Just kidding. Maybe after he studies economics at university, he can explain it to us."

Following Mnuchin's sarcastic remarks, Thunberg responded via SNS, "You don't need a university degree in economics to realize that the remaining 1.5-degree carbon budget and the ongoing subsidies and investments in fossil fuels are contradictory."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Thunberg was named Time magazine's Person of the Year last year as an environmental activist. In September of last year, she raised her voice at a United Nations meeting, criticizing world leaders for failing to respond adequately to climate change.

Earlier, Donald Trump, Mnuchin's superior and then U.S. President, also criticized environmental activists concerned about climate change at the WEF, calling them "false prophets." Regarding this, Thunberg pointed out, "Our house is on fire. By your inaction, you are fanning the flames every moment."