Davos showdown: China pushes back against Trump's 'stupid' windmill buyers comment

China pushed back against US President Donald Trump's criticism of its wind power record at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, reiterating its commitment to advancing the global shift toward low-carbon energy.

Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular press conference on Thursday that China's efforts to tackle climate change and promote the development and application of renewable energy in the world were obvious to all, according to a Reuters report.

Trump's critique and China's pushback

During his address to the influential gathering of delegates at the Davos meeting, which included a diverse and powerful array of global political and business leaders, Trump launched a pointed critique against China's role in the global wind energy sector.

Trump asserted that China is responsible for the manufacture of the vast majority of the world's commercial windmills.

However, he followed this factual claim with a rhetorical question and observation, noting that despite this massive production capability, he had not "been able to find any wind farms in China."

This juxtaposition—China's massive production versus its apparent low domestic consumption—formed the basis of his controversial characterisation of those nations and entities actively purchasing Chinese-made windmills. 

In a blunt and characteristically provocative statement, Trump described China's buyers as "stupid." 

This comment suggested his belief that these buyers were making poor economic or strategic decisions by heavily relying on a key competitor for their energy infrastructure, implying a failure to grasp the trade imbalance or geopolitical implications inherent in the transaction.

The remarks were part of his broader "America First" theme, designed to challenge existing global trade practices and encourage domestic production and energy independence, casting doubt on the environmental and economic motivations of the prevailing global energy transition strategy.

China's dominant role and global impact

Meanwhile, Guo highlighted China's dominant position in the global renewable energy sector, noting that the country has maintained the world's largest installed wind power capacity for 15 consecutive years. 

This remarkable sustained growth demonstrates China's significant investment and commitment to harnessing wind energy. 

Furthermore, Guo emphasised the global impact of China's green technology exports, specifically wind power and photovoltaic products. 

These exports have played a crucial role in international efforts to combat climate change, facilitating a reduction of approximately 4.1 billion tons in carbon emissions for other nations. 

US disapproval and EU investigation

Offshore wind developers have experienced consistent setbacks under Trump's administration, as he has repeatedly voiced his disapproval of wind power, labelling wind turbines as expensive, inefficient, and aesthetically displeasing.

As the world's leading wind power producer, China is facing scrutiny from the European Union. 

In 2024, the EU initiated an investigation into subsidies received by Chinese wind turbine suppliers whose products are intended for the European market.

This action is intended to protect European companies from inexpensive Chinese imports, a move Beijing has denounced as "protectionism."

For the first time last year, wind and solar power surpassed fossil fuels in electricity generation within the EU. 

The landmark achievement signals the bloc's ongoing transition toward low-carbon energy, even as some governments continue to resist the change.