California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a stinging rebuke of US President Donald Trump, accusing him of "abdicating responsibility" on climate action by ignoring the major COP30 summit in Brazil.
A Political Vacuum at Climate Talks
The Republican president's decision to skip the meeting of tens of thousands in Belem has created a political opening, allowing Democrats like Newsom to step into the void and criticise the administration from the global stage. Speaking to Sky News climate reporter Victoria Seabrook on Tuesday 11 November 2025, Newsom, a potential Democratic contender for the White House in 2028, framed his attendance as a necessity.
"I'm here in the absence of leadership from Donald Trump, who's abdicated responsibility on a critical issue," he stated. The two are longstanding political foes, known for trading insults such as "Gavin Newscum" and "The Nodfather."
The Battle for Economic Power
Newsom argued that the transition to renewable sources is about more than environmentalism; it is a crucial economic battleground. "It's about economic power," he declared, "and I'm not going to cede America's economic leadership to China." This stance comes as China solidifies its dominance in key green technology markets.
Since taking office, President Trump has cancelled clean energy projects and subsidies. Meanwhile, current figures show that China manufactures eight in ten of the world's solar panels and seven in ten electric vehicles, even as it remains the world's largest coal producer. Democrats argue that Trump's focus on promoting the domestic oil and gas industry internationally has inadvertently handed China more influence in burgeoning green markets.
California's 'Open Hand' on the World Stage
Without a formal role in the inter-governmental negotiations, California has used its clout as the world's fourth-largest economy to wield influence. Newsom promised that California would "lean in" and compete aggressively in the green technology space.
"But we can't do that without all of you... So we're here with an open hand, not a closed fist," he told attendees at another COP30 event, positioning the state as a collaborative leader. Democrats have been actively promoting California's climate credentials throughout the summit.
Despite its progressive image, California's energy profile is complex. The state generates two-thirds of its electricity from renewables but remains a major oil importer, bringing in 300,000 barrels of oil a year, with Brazil being its second-largest provider.
When confronted with the fact that Republican-led states like Texas have sometimes rolled out renewable power faster, California Senator Josh Becker, also at the summit, welcomed the competition. He acknowledged that Texas's adoption of solar and wind was driven primarily because "it's actually cheaper," which he saw as positive news for the sector's overall economic competitiveness.
