As Trump Retreats from Climate Goals, China Emerges as Green Superpower

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

As the United States under President Donald Trump pulls back from longstanding climate commitments, including dismantling foundational climate regulations, China is surging ahead to position itself as a dominant force in the clean energy era, reshaping global energy markets and geopolitical influence.

In recent months Trump’s administration has repealed the EPA’s 2009 “endangerment finding” — a core legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act — and has signalled a broader retreat from aggressive climate action at the federal level. Critics say the move undermines decades of environmental protection policy and weakens American leadership on climate issues as the U.S. faces lawsuits and widespread political opposition.

At the same time, China — the world’s largest emitter — has taken steps to decarbonise its energy system and expand renewable power capacity at a massive scale, even as it continues to grapple with emissions from coal and industrial sources. Renewable energy deployment in China has outpaced that of much of the rest of the world combined, with vast new solar, wind and battery projects across regions such as Inner Mongolia, Gansu and Xinjiang transforming deserts into clean energy hubs.

Experts say China’s strategy is not just about domestic energy policy but about becoming a clean energy manufacturing and export giant, supplying technologies like solar panels, electric vehicles and energy storage to markets around the world. The country dominates global supply chains for many clean technologies and heavily invests in renewables growth, creating economic momentum linked to its green transition.

Analysts contend this contrast in approaches has widened the gap between Washington and Beijing: while U.S. climate action recedes and regulatory authority on emissions weakens, China’s clean energy transition continues to gain traction and economic weight. In 2025, China’s installed wind and solar capacity rose sharply, and for the first time in decades, both China and India saw coal power generation fall — prompting some observers to label China a de facto “green superpower” at the centre of the global energy transformation.

The shift carries implications far beyond national borders. With nations balancing energy security, economic growth and emissions targets, China’s leadership in renewables could shape global climate policy and partnerships in years ahead — especially as U.S. federal policy takes a back seat. Observers note that despite the U.S. retreat, climate action remains a priority for many subnational governments, private companies and international partners, keeping broader global progress alive even amid shifting political winds.

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