China Defends Wind Power Record After Trump’s Davos Attack
Beijing refutes claims it doesn't use its own wind turbines, highlighting its global leadership in renewable energy amid trade tensions.
China has defended its track record on wind power and reaffirmed its commitment to a low-carbon energy transition following criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos.
“China’s efforts to tackle climate change and promote renewable energy are visible to all,” said Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during a regular press briefing in Beijing.
Trump’s Remarks and Beijing’s Response
Speaking to political and business leaders in Davos, Trump claimed that China manufactures nearly all the world’s wind turbines but alleged he has “failed to find wind farms in China,” describing buyers of Chinese-made turbines as “fools.”
Guo countered that China’s installed wind power capacity has ranked first globally for 15 consecutive years. He stated that the country’s exports of wind and solar products have helped other nations reduce carbon emissions by approximately 4.1 billion tons.
Global Balances and European Concerns
Trump has repeatedly attacked wind energy, describing turbines as unsightly, expensive, and inefficient. Under his administration, offshore wind investors in the U.S. have faced persistent uncertainty.
China remains the world’s largest producer of wind energy. The European Union launched an investigation in 2024 into subsidies received by Chinese wind turbine manufacturers supplying the European market, aiming to shield domestic firms from what it sees as unfairly cheap imports. Beijing has labeled the probe an act of “protectionism.”
The dispute comes as wind and solar power generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the EU for the first time last year. The milestone indicates that the shift toward low-emission solutions is advancing, despite political resistance from some governments.
