The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is preparing to lift some restrictions imposed during Joe Biden’s term on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
The announcement was made on Thursday by a White House official, confirming information published by USA Today and cited by AFP and Reuters. The decision is part of a series of deregulation measures promoted by the Trump administration in the environmental sector.
White House: The measure could reduce food prices
According to the American administration, relaxing rules on HFC use is expected to lower costs for supermarkets and stores, providing them with more options for refrigeration systems.
The White House argues that the measure could indirectly contribute to lowering food prices, at a time when the U.S. is facing a new acceleration in inflation.
The announcement was made by Donald Trump together with the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lee Zeldin, at an event at the White House.
HFC Gases Criticized for Climate Impact
Hydrofluorocarbons are widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, but they are considered extremely potent greenhouse gases, with a climate impact far exceeding that of carbon dioxide.
The Biden administration had imposed restrictions to gradually reduce their use, in line with international commitments to combat climate change.
Lee Zeldin, a close ally of Trump and one of the main promoters of environmental deregulation, had stated as early as May 2025 that he wanted to "stab the climate religion in the heart."
EPA Talks About Billions of Dollars in Savings
The head of the EPA estimates that lifting the restrictions could lead to savings of around $2.4 billion for consumers and companies.
However, critics of the measure warn that an increase in HFC usage could amplify the effects of global warming and contradict international efforts to reduce pollutant emissions.