China’s top envoy blasts EU climate goals and Trump’s ‘bad example’

The European Commission did not respond to a request for comment. At a press conference on Monday, Hoekstra said that “leadership is, in my view, first and foremost about what you do … that’s why I’m so satisfied about the 2035 target and 2040 target.”

Without naming the EU, Liu also warned against “unilateral measures that might damage international collaboration” on climate.

At COP30, many emerging economies have been pushing for a debate on “unilateral trade measures.” The move chiefly targets the EU’s upcoming carbon tariff, known as the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), which is designed to protect the bloc’s industry against competition from countries with no or low carbon pricing.  

Brussels says it’s open for discussions at COP30 but that any disputes should be taken to the World Trade Organization, not the U.N. climate summit.

“People are worried about both the CBAM implementation starting from next year, as well as about the U.S. tariff war, that they will be really preventing some of the cooperation on the transition,” Liu said. 

Asked about Liu’s comments, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said: “President Trump set a strong example for the rest of the world by reversing course on the Green Energy Scam and unleashing our natural resources,” urging other countries to “follow President Trump’s lead before it is too late.”

The U.S. State Department offered no direct response, but said regarding its absence at COP30: “The Trump Administration refused to use taxpayer dollars to send or facilitate any official travel for this conference, which is dedicated to hamstringing the American economy and bankrupting the American people.” 

Sara Schonhardt contributed reporting.