Trump defies Obama to restart construction of Dakota and Keystone pipelines

US President Donald Trump has reversed a key decision made by predecessor Barack Obama by signing an executive order to pave the way for the expansion of the Keystone and Dakota Access oil pipelines.

Obama had blocked the progress of both projects due to environmental concerns, amidst a flurry of protests from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and climate change activists.

Trump, a climate change doubter, argued that the completion of the pipeline between the US and Canada would create new jobs in the industry.

The President pledged to speak with all of the parties concerned regarding the Dakota pipeline, in order to reach a satisfactory deal for everyone.

Five executive orders were signed by Trump on another busy day for the Republican, who has been quick to roll back many of Obama's key decisions from his last term.

"This is on the Keystone pipeline, something that has been in dispute and it is subject to a renegotiation of terms by us," he said to the press.

"We are going to renegotiate some of the terms. And then if they like, we'll see if we can get that pipeline built. A lot of jobs, 28,000 jobs. Great construction jobs."

Climate change activists and high-profile Democrats have spoken out against the decision to restart the pipeline projects, including former Vermont senator Bernie Sanders.

"President Trump ignored the voices of millions and put the short-term profits of the fossil fuel industry ahead of the future of our planet," Mr Sanders said.

Greenpeace director Annie Leonard added to the concern surrounding the construction of the pipeline.

"Instead of pushing bogus claims about the potential of pipelines to create jobs, Trump should focus his efforts on the clean energy sector where America’s future lives," Leonard said.