Trump Criticises California-Britain Clean Energy Agreement

Former President Donald Trump has publicly condemned a clean energy agreement signed between the United Kingdom and California Governor Gavin Newsom, which was formalised on 16 February 2026. Trump's remarks came shortly after the agreement was made public, as reported by multiple news outlets including Politico.

Trump referred to the deal as 'inappropriate,' suggesting that Britain's collaboration with Newsom was misguided. 'Gavin is a loser. Everything he’s touched turns to garbage. His state has gone to hell, and his environmental work is a disaster,' Trump stated during the interview.

This agreement aims to enhance cooperation on clean energy technologies between California and the UK, including areas such as offshore wind energy. It is intended to broaden access for British firms to the Californian market. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ed Miliband, the UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, who emphasised the importance of international partnerships in bolstering investment and job creation in the UK.

Miliband described the arrangement as a significant opportunity for both regions, noting, 'Strong international partnerships like today’s announcement... secure investment for our country.'

The agreement could potentially lead to a $1 billion investment by Octopus Energy, a British-based firm, to support carbon removal strategies in California. These strategies involve restoring grasslands and reforestation efforts designed to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

In response to Trump's criticisms, a spokesperson for Newsom asserted, 'Donald Trump is on his knees for coal and Big Oil, selling out America’s future to China. Governor Newsom will continue to lead in his absence.' This reflects the ongoing tensions between Newsom and Trump, particularly regarding environmental policies and energy management.

Furthermore, the agreement is part of a series of similar collaborations between the UK and various states in the US, including Florida and Texas, aimed at fostering economic growth and job creation.

Newsom has been a vocal critic of Trump and has expressed aspirations to seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2028. Trump's recent actions, including a push for offshore oil drilling in California, have faced opposition from Newsom and environmental advocates, who argue that such practices threaten the state's ecosystems.

As political dynamics continue to evolve in both nations, the implications of the California-UK clean energy agreement remain to be fully realised, but it signifies a clear rift between state-level initiatives and the federal stance in the United States.