US President Donald Trump on Monday sharply criticised a newly signed clean energy partnership between the United Kingdom and the US state of California, taking aim at Governor Gavin Newsom and calling him "a loser."
Speaking to Politico, Trump said it was inappropriate for the British government to engage directly with a Democratic state leader on such matters. He accused Newsom of mismanaging California, claiming the state's environmental policies had failed and describing its condition as dire.
The agreement, signed by Newsom and UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, outlines cooperation on clean energy initiatives, including offshore wind development. It also seeks to improve access for British companies to California's energy market.
Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump who is widely seen as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, has repeatedly clashed with the former president. Earlier this year, he said the White House was responsible for preventing him from speaking inside the official US venue at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
In response to Trump's remarks, Newsom's office issued a forceful rebuttal. A spokesperson said the president was prioritising fossil fuels at the expense of America's long-term interests, arguing that California would continue advancing its clean energy agenda regardless of federal opposition. The statement, carried by Reuters, accused Trump of undermining the country's future competitiveness.
The exchange comes amid broader disagreements over energy policy. Trump recently encouraged oil and gas companies to propose offshore areas in Southern and Central California for potential lease sales as early as next year - a move that drew condemnation from Newsom and environmental advocates, who warned of ecological risks.
Over the weekend at the Munich Security Conference, Newsom sought to reassure European allies about US stability. He characterised Trump's political tenure as temporary, predicting electoral setbacks in upcoming midterms and possible legal challenges to his tariff powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Newsom argued that Trump's approach does not reflect enduring American principles and urged international partners to sustain direct relationships with US states during what he described as a period of national uncertainty. He added that Europe had, in some ways, grown more cohesive in response to the volatility of the Trump era.
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