What's happened
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticizes Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, emphasizing California’s green credentials and advocating for US leadership in climate action. He highlights California’s renewable energy progress and warns against the US falling behind China and Europe in green tech. Newsom’s international trip underscores his potential 2028 presidential bid.
What's behind the headline?
California’s stance exemplifies a broader trend of subnational climate leadership in the US, especially as federal policy regresses. Newsom’s rhetoric frames California as a model for climate progress, contrasting sharply with Trump’s dismissive stance on climate change. This positioning aims to bolster his national profile ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.
The emphasis on California’s renewable energy success—getting two-thirds of its electricity from renewables—serves as a tangible proof point of what state-level action can achieve. However, the limits of such efforts are evident, as federal policies like the recent end of clean energy tax credits threaten to undermine progress.
Internationally, Newsom criticizes the US’s retreat from climate leadership, warning that China’s dominance in green tech and manufacturing poses a strategic threat. His comments reflect a strategic effort to position California—and potentially himself—as champions of climate innovation and economic competitiveness.
The story underscores the ongoing tension between federal rollback and state-level ambition, with implications for global climate efforts. While California’s actions are significant, their influence remains limited without federal coordination, especially as the US continues to snub COP30 and other international forums. The next US administration will be pivotal in determining whether the country can regain its leadership role in climate policy.
What the papers say
France 24 highlights Newsom’s critique of Trump’s climate policies and California’s green credentials, emphasizing his international outreach and potential presidential ambitions. Reuters notes Newsom’s strategic positioning as a counterpoint to federal rollback, stressing California’s economic influence and the global significance of his climate stance. Both sources portray Newsom as a prominent figure advocating for US climate leadership, with France 24 focusing on his diplomatic efforts and Reuters on his political ambitions and economic critique. The contrasting perspectives underscore the tension between state-level progress and federal policy setbacks, illustrating the broader geopolitical and domestic climate landscape.
How we got here
The US withdrew from the Paris climate accord under President Trump in 2017 and again in 2024, reversing previous commitments to reduce emissions. California, as a major economic and environmental actor, has continued to pursue aggressive climate policies, positioning itself as a leader despite federal setbacks. Newsom’s international visits aim to showcase California’s green achievements and influence global climate discourse.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Is Gavin Newsom Doing to Lead on Climate Change?
California Governor Gavin Newsom is making headlines with his efforts to challenge US climate rollbacks and position California as a global leader in green tech. His international trips and outspoken stance raise questions about his role in shaping climate policy and his potential future in national politics. Below, explore the key questions about Newsom's climate initiatives, his global influence, and what it means for the US and the world.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician and businessman who is the 40th governor of California, serving since January 2019.
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California is a state in the Pacific Region of the United States. With 39.5 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles, California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area, and is also the world's thirty-fourt