Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on UK energy secretary Ed Miliband after Labour signed a green energy agreement with California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The US President described the memorandum of understanding as “inappropriate”.
Mr Trump told Politico: “The UK’s got enough trouble without getting involved with Gavin Newscum.”
He went on to criticise the Democratic governor’s record in office, delivering a strongly worded assessment of his leadership and environmental policies.
“Gavin is a loser. Everything he’s touched turns to garbage. His state has gone to hell, and his environmental work is a disaster. People are leaving,” he said.
“The worst thing that the UK can do is get involved in Gavin. If they did to the UK what he did to California, this will not be a very successful venture.”
The agreement, while not legally binding, aims to strengthen cooperation between Britain and California on climate change through joint research programmes and investment initiatives.
Mr Miliband posted on X hours before Mr Trump’s remarks, saying he was “very pleased” to welcome Mr Newsom to London for what he called a “major clean energy agreement”.
Donald Trump has condemned the deal
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He added: “Strong international partnerships like today’s announcement with the state of California strengthen opportunities for UK businesses and secure investment for our country.”
Mr Newsom said: “California will continue showing the world how we can turn innovation and ambition into climate action.”
Energy company Octopus has committed to further investment in California’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of the deal.
The agreement is the 12th accord Britain has signed directly with an individual US state as part of wider climate cooperation efforts.
Ed Miliband and Gavin Newsom sealing the deal
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Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho accused Mr Miliband of hypocrisy over the California agreement and raised concerns about transparency surrounding a separate deal with China.
She said: “Ed Miliband has published the full text of yet another energy deal, this time with California, but has still not explained why the energy deal he signed last year with China remains secret.
“Intelligence services have warned us that China poses a threat to our energy security and yet this is the country that Ed Miliband has chosen to do a secret deal with.”
Ms Coutinho said Mr Miliband declined to explain his position “over 17 times” during a recent select committee hearing.
“The public deserves the same transparency which he has shown in this deal with California,” she added.
The Government defended its broader relationship with Washington following Mr Trump’s criticism, stressing the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic and economic ties.
A spokesman said: “Our relationship with the US remains a cornerstone of our security and prosperity.”
Ministers said they were following precedent by keeping the China memorandum confidential, noting that the previous administration also declined to publish its most recent agreement with Beijing.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: “Our memorandum of understanding with China renewed a partnership that has been in place for over 10 years and facilitates the sharing of research and ideas to support the global clean energy transition.”
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho also highlighted her concerns over the China deal
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Chinese state media have reported details of the agreement’s contents, including cooperation on power grids, battery storage, offshore wind and carbon capture technology.
The Ministry of Defence has previously warned that Chinese involvement in green energy infrastructure projects could create opportunities for espionage.
Officials say they balance national security risks with economic and environmental priorities when assessing foreign investment in critical infrastructure.
The memorandum with California is expected to focus on knowledge sharing, innovation partnerships and private‑sector investment rather than regulatory alignment or binding emissions targets.