California Governor Newsom Criticizes Trump's 'Stupid' Climate Policy in Munich - Newsom slams Trump's climate rollback as a corporate power grab

California Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly criticised President Donald Trump over a major rollback of climate regulations. The dispute centres on Trump's decision to revoke a 2009 rule that classified greenhouse gases as harmful to public health. Newsom accused the president of prioritising corporate interests over environmental progress.

The Trump administration recently scrapped the EPA's 2009 'Endangerment Finding', which had provided the legal basis for regulating vehicle emissions. Under the proposed changes, fuel efficiency standards would drop from 50 miles per gallon (4.7 L/100 km) by 2031 to just 34.5 miles per gallon (6.8 L/100 km). The move could also strip states of their ability to set stricter exhaust rules for cars and trucks.

Newsom condemned the decision, calling Trump the most 'destructive' president in US history. He claimed the administration was acting on behalf of oil, gas, and coal companies, which had donated over $1 billion to Trump's campaigns. The governor described the policy shift as an attempt to 'revive the 19th century' and undo decades of environmental conservation.

In contrast, Newsom pointed to California's success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while expanding renewable energy and creating jobs. He framed the state as a 'stable and reliable partner' on climate action, dismissing Trump's policies as short-lived. 'In three years, he'll be gone,' Newsom stated, suggesting the rollbacks would not last.

The clash highlights deep divisions over US climate policy. California remains committed to stricter emissions standards, while the federal government moves to weaken them. The outcome will shape vehicle regulations and environmental protections for years to come.