In brief
At the COP30 climate talks in Belem, Brazil, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized former President Donald Trump's decision to skip the negotiations, describing it as 'doubling down on stupid.' He noted the implications of U.S. absence for global climate efforts and warned that America risks relinquishing economic power in the transition to green energy. Newsom asserted that every country except the U.S. recognizes the urgency for climate action, stressing the dangers posed by Trump's policies and the importance of California's leading role in combatting climate change.
BELEM, Brazil (AP) — California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed serious concerns over America's absence from critical United Nations climate negotiations, dubbing it 'doubling down on stupid.' Speaking at COP30, he warned that the U.S. risks being left behind as a global economic power. Newsom, who has presidential aspirations for 2028, highlighted the contrast between his presence and Trump's absence, emphasizing Trump's decision to skip important climate talks tells a disregarding message, saying, 'You don’t matter, we don’t care.' Unlike Trump, Newsom maintains that much of America is committed to combating climate change, despite the former President's rollback of environmental regulations. He criticized Trump’s actions as harmful to the country’s economic future, pointing out the potential for other countries, particularly China, to seize the initiative in the green energy sector. Newsom lamented that the effort from U.S. leaders to address climate issues is undermined by the federal government’s unparticipative stance. His remarks echoed a broader concern that Trump's policies are stifling progress in renewable energy while pushing the nation backward environmentally, at a time when nations worldwide are striving for greener solutions.
