🌬️ President Trump criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom after Newsom signed a memorandum of understanding in London with the United Kingdom to cooperate on clean energy technologies and other climate-related work 532. In comments reported by Politico and cited by multiple outlets, Trump called the arrangement “inappropriate” for the UK to pursue with a U.S. state and attacked Newsom’s record in California 534.
Newsom’s move highlights how large states can pursue their own international partnerships on issues like energy and research, even amid sharp federal-state friction 52. Critics say the pact will do little—or could hurt business—making it the latest flashpoint in a broader U.S. debate over climate and economic policy 1.
Sources
- Newsom’s UK clean energy pact ripped for ‘insanity,’ as critics question effectiveness [nypost.com] (2026-02-17)
- Trump furious the UK spoke with Newsom [alternet.org] (2026-02-16)
- Trump slams energy deal between California and Britain, calls Governor Newsom a ‘loser’ [scmp.com] (2026-02-16)
- Trump tears into Gavin Newsom as California gov signs clean energy deal with the UK: ‘His state has gone to hell’ [nypost.com] (2026-02-16)
- Trump slams Newsom over 'inappropriate' California-UK energy agreement [thehill.com] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- Timing/setting: Trump’s comments came as the California–UK engagement was unfolding, including around the time the memorandum was signed 32.
- Broader climate-policy context: Alternet tied Trump’s anger over state-level climate diplomacy to his administration’s broader approach to climate regulation, including moves to roll back a landmark finding on greenhouse-gas harms 2.
- What cooperation is meant to do: Coverage described the memorandum as a plan to coordinate clean-energy technology efforts and other climate-related work—framed as both policy and an economic opportunity 52.
The U.K.’s got enough trouble without getting involved with Gavin Newscum
— President Donald Trump — The Hill
Perspectives
President Trump: In comments carried by multiple outlets, he called it “inappropriate” for the U.K. to be “dealing with” Newsom. He broadened the attack into a critique of California, calling Newsom “a loser” and criticizing the state’s condition and environmental record 5.
Gov. Gavin Newsom: Alternet framed Newsom’s outreach as the kind of direct diplomacy a state with an economy this large can pursue. He went ahead and signed the London memorandum aimed at cooperation on clean-energy technologies 25.
UK energy leadership: Ed Miliband was described as looking to coordinate with California and British energy firms to strengthen clean-energy research collaboration 2.
Deal critics: Critics quoted by the New York Post dismissed the pact as “insanity,” arguing it would be ineffective and tying it to claims that California’s broader policy environment has driven businesses out of the state 1.