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President Donald Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for signing a climate partnership agreement with the United Kingdom.

Getting into it: The agreement, signed by UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Governor Gavin Newsom in London, is a memorandum of understanding designed to deepen cooperation between California and the UK on clean energy development. The deal creates a formal framework for collaboration on clean energy technologies, carbon management and removal, climate resilience, transport decarbonization, and environmental protection. It also expands ties between businesses and research institutions in both regions, positioning California and the UK as partners in advancing net-zero emissions goals.

A major component of the agreement is nearly $1 billion in investment from British energy company Octopus Energy into California-based clean technology and carbon removal projects. The funding is expected to support initiatives such as grassland restoration, reforestation, and other nature-based solutions aimed at transforming degraded land into carbon-absorbing assets. The UK government said the partnership would strengthen economic opportunities for British firms, improve market access in California, help cut energy costs, and create jobs while accelerating the transition to cleaner energy systems.

Newsom praised the agreement as proof that California will continue leading on climate policy regardless of federal shifts, saying the state remains the best place in America to invest in a clean economy because it sets clear goals and follows through. He added that California will continue demonstrating how innovation and ambition can translate into meaningful climate action.

Despite all of this, President Trump has called the deal “inappropriate” for the UK to engage directly with Newsom, questioning the legitimacy of the partnership. In comments to Politico, Trump called the governor a “loser” and claimed his environmental policies have been a disaster for California. He argued that the UK has “enough trouble” without getting involved with Newsom and suggested that such agreements undermine federal authority.