if China were to support/if China supported

[goodboybkk]

Dear all,

What is the major difference between these 2 sentences?
... if China were to support existing multilateral climate institutions like the Green Climate Fund and the Climate Investment Funds alongside us and other donor governments, we could have...
... if China supported existing multilateral climate institutions like the Green Climate Fund and the Climate Investment Funds alongside us and other donor governments, we could have...

From theguardian.com

Janet Yellen urges China to boost funding to tackle climate crisis

US Treasury secretary says Beijing could have greater global impact if it worked with global climate institutions

www.theguardian.com

 

[jutfrank]

The main difference is in the grammar. As far as meaning goes, they're similar in that they both express a hypothetical situation. The first, which has a subjunctive mood, places more emphasis on this hypotheticalness.

 

[White Hat]

Also, this is discussed in detail here.