President Donald Trump has criticised a new clean energy agreement between California and the UK.
He warned British leaders against partnering with his long-time political foe Gavin Newsom, the state’s governor, saying “the UK’s got enough trouble”.
Speaking with POLITICO, the US President said: “Gavin is a loser. Everything he touched turns to garbage. His state has gone to hell, and his environmental work is a disaster.”
Mr Newsom signed a memorandum of understanding in London with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, pledging cooperation on clean energy technologies, including offshore wind.
The pact is not legally binding, but it was signed in a bid to foster closer relations between California and the UK to tackle climate change.
Mr Trump’s swipe is the latest in a long string of remarks about the UK’s energy infrastructure.
The US President notably criticised the decision to restrict drilling of North Sea oil and gas.
He also branded countries that build wind farms “stupid”, advocating an aggressive approach of “drill, baby, drill” to drastically increase the domestic production of oil and natural gas.
Mr Newsom is a high-profile Democrat seen as a potential future presidential candidate.
He is also a long-term rival of the US President and the pair have engaged in a series of public spats.
The President demonstrated that once more in his broadside at the new UK-California collaboration, branding his foe “Gavin Newscum”.
The California governor has touched base with the UK’s ruling class this week during a tour across Europe.
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He visited Davos and the Munich Security Conference to drum up support for his ideas from world leaders.
Mr Newsom also insisted Mr Trump would be “gone in three years”, stressing the need for a long-term approach to California’s green energy policy.
Monday’s memorandum of understanding is the 12th accord the UK has signed with an individual US state.
Bilateral agreements are also in place for Washington and California.
Mr Miliband’s deal with California is separate for the Government’s bid to secure an agreement with the White House on energy policy, in which Mr Trump is calling for a return to fossil fuels.
The UK’s largest energy provider, Octopus Energy, has pledged more investment for Californai’s electric vehicle charging network.
The Energy Secretary said: “Strong international partnerships like today’s announcement with the state of California strengthens opportunities for UK businesses and secures investment for our country.”
Mr Newsom said: “California will continue showing the world how we can turn innovation and ambition into climate action.”
Responding to Mr Trump’s comments, a Government spokesman said: “Our relationship with the US remains a cornerstone of our security and prosperity. We continue to work closely with the US government on a range of issues, including ushering in a golden age of nuclear through the landmark nuclear partnership we signed during the state visit last year.”