Without USA, California governor brings anti-Trump coalition to COP30

“The US is as dumb as it can be right now, but the state of California is not,” he said, criticizing Trump. “So, we’re going to line up and we’re going to compete for this space,” he added.

He also criticized Trump’s tariffs, calling them “illegal.” “These tariffs against your country are a joke, an abomination. (Former President Jair) Bolsonaro’s tariffs. Let’s establish what they are. We (in California) want to negotiate supplies with you,” he said.

Newsom has been trying to take on this international role since Trump took office in early 2025, which includes Brazil. He signed a memorandum of cooperation on climate issues with the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment during the UN (United Nations) summit.

Due to the form of the North American Constitution, states have much more decision-making power than in Brazil’s federative scheme, for example. “Our states have a lot of strength and authority to maintain this (energy) transition and, (unlike Trump) under California’s leadership, we are working towards this,” said Wade Crowfoot, the state’s Secretary of Natural Resources.

For Newsom, energy transformation is, first and foremost, an economic debate. “If anyone is paying attention to China, they are not (just) interested in this debate: they are dominating the issue — and they will dominate the next big global industry,” he argued, pointing to the Chinese pavilion, which is on the other side of the catwalk at COP.

Taking the lead and criticizing international stance

Newsom is one of Trump’s main opponents in the United States. A Democrat, he frequently criticizes the Republican not only in the area of ​​sustainability, but also in security, immigration and international policies.