WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would "keep an open mind" about whether to pull the United States out of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, The New York Times reported.

Trump, who met with the newspaper's publisher, editors and reporters in New York, said he thinks there is "some connection" between climate change and human activity but "it depends on how much."

Trump said he is also thinking about "how much it will cost our companies" and the effect on American competitiveness.

When asked if he will withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Trump said: "I'm looking at it very closely. I have an open mind to it."

A New York Times reporter live tweeted the interview.

It appeared that Trump has softened his stance on climate change. During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which took effect on Nov. 4.

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