【By Observer News, Qi Qian】
On February 16, local time, California Governor Newsom bypassed the federal government and signed a new clean energy agreement with the UK alone.
Soon after, US President Trump and Newsom had a fierce verbal clash. Trump criticized Newsom as a "failure" and warned the UK not to deal with him. Newsom retaliated by saying that Trump was kneeling before coal and oil, "selling America's future to China."
According to Politico, Trump strongly criticized this new clean energy agreement.
"The UK has enough trouble already; don't get involved in Gavin Newsom's mess," Trump said in an interview, using his derogatory nickname for Newsom, "Gavin is a failure. Everything he touches turns into garbage. His state has fallen into hell, and his environmental work is a disaster."
Trump added that Newsom signing such an agreement was "inappropriate," and that it was also "inappropriate" for the UK to deal with him.
Trump's remarks came shortly after Newsom signed the agreement with the UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband in London on the same day.
Photo of the tweet showing Newsom and the UK Energy Minister signing a new energy cooperation agreement on February 16
According to reports, the agreement promises collaboration in clean energy technology, including offshore wind power; it also aims to expand British companies' access to the California market and strengthen cooperation between research institutions on both sides of the Atlantic, promoting employment in California and the UK.
On February 16, during an interview with Politico, Trump continued to mock wind energy and criticized the governance of the California government.
"People are leaving," Trump said about California, "the worst thing the UK could do is get involved with Gavin. If they do to the UK what he did to California, it would be a very unsuccessful adventure." He warned that this deal would backfire on the UK.
He also criticized Newsom's infrastructure projects as "failures," mentioning the state's long-delayed high-speed rail project.
Trump mocked, "How's his railway doing? How are all the things he built doing?"
Video screenshot of Trump visiting a wildfire-affected area in California in January 2023 and meeting with Newsom
"Donald Trump is kneeling before coal and big oil, selling America's future to China," said Newsom's spokesperson in an email response. "Without Trump, Governor Newsom will continue to lead (the new energy cooperation). Foreign leaders are rejecting Trump and choosing California's vision for the future."
Meanwhile, Newsom posted multiple messages on his social media account X to respond to Trump's criticism.
Newsom wrote that day: "I refuse to let the climate crisis destroy our planet. California will continue to rise, push forward, and prove that a safer and more sustainable world is possible."
February 16 was Presidents' Day (the third Monday in February). Newsom sarcastically said, "Happy Presidents' Day, California. Today, we honor the presidents who led the United States through its most difficult times and were committed to preserving democracy and building a more perfect union."
This is not the first time Newsom has brought up China when criticizing Trump's energy policy. In September last year, Newsom criticized Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly on climate issues as "disgusting and embarrassing," claiming that it was a betrayal of the US, "which would only help China."
The UK chose to remain neutral, fearing being drawn into US internal political disputes.
A UK government spokesperson responded, saying that relations with the US "remain the cornerstone of our security and prosperity," and pledged to continue close cooperation with the US government. The spokesperson noted that the agreement signed with California "is just one of a series of agreements signed at the state level, including Florida and Texas, which will bring jobs and growth to the UK."
Politico reported that as a potential candidate for the 2028 Democratic presidential election, Newsom's trip to Europe was partly to assure American allies that Trump's changes to transatlantic relations and climate policies were "temporary."
The Trump administration earlier this year led the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, while California remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions under the treaty. Recently, Trump invited representatives from the oil and gas industry to submit nominations for potential oil and gas leasing areas off the coasts of Southern and Central California. This move was condemned by Newsom and environmental groups, who believe it threatens the state's ecosystem.
Lately, Newsom spoke at the Munich Security Conference, stating, "No US president has been more destructive than Donald Trump. That's it. Trump is loyal to big oil, gas, and coal, not the American people."
He openly undermined Trump: "Let me be clear. The Trump administration is temporary. Our commitment is not. He'll be gone in three years. Our determination to combat climate change remains firm, and we are still a stable and reliable partner in this fight."
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7607632748504810047/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.