Kerry Blasts Trump as Biggest Loser on Climate at COP31 2026

At the COP31 climate summit in Turkey, former US Secretary of State John Kerry called Donald Trump the “biggest loser we’ve seen in a long time” for scrapping climate action and ceding the clean energy race to China. Kerry’s remarks highlight a stark contrast in global climate leadership as the US sits out the annual UN talks.

Kerry, a former climate envoy under President Joe Biden, criticized Trump for withdrawing the US from the international climate process and axing measures that reduced planet-heating emissions. His comments came as the Trump administration sent no delegation to Antalya for the summit, which began on Monday.

Kerry’s Sharp Criticism of Trump’s Climate Stance

Speaking to the Guardian at COP31, Kerry did not mince words when asked about Trump’s recent comments calling wind turbines “a major loser.” Kerry retorted, “[The] first thing they should do is hold up a really big mirror so he can look at a loser, because he’s the biggest loser we’ve seen in a long time on all of these issues.”

Kerry added that Trump is “missing the point” on multiple fronts: “He’s missing the competitiveness with China. He’s missing the marketplace for goods that could” – a sentiment that underscores the economic stakes of abandoning clean energy.

US Absence at COP31 Speaks Volumes

Unlike almost all other countries, the Trump administration has sent no delegation to the resort city of Antalya for the annual UN climate talks. This absence is a tangible sign of the US retreat from global climate diplomacy under Trump, who has previously called climate science a “hoax” and urged countries to drill for more oil and gas.

On Monday, Trump again expressed hostility towards clean energy, saying, “I will not approve wind turbines because wind turbines are a major loser.” His remarks were made about potential new legislation that would make it easier to build new energy projects.

Why This Matters: Economic and Geopolitical Stakes

Kerry’s criticism goes beyond environmental concerns; it strikes at the heart of US economic competitiveness. By ceding the clean energy race to China, the US risks losing out on a booming global market for renewable technologies.

China has already positioned itself as a dominant player in solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. Kerry’s warning suggests that Trump’s policies could leave American businesses and workers behind in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

• Climate leadership vacuum: The US absence at COP31 leaves a gap that other nations, notably China, are eager to fill.
• Economic opportunity lost: The global clean energy market is projected to be worth trillions; US withdrawal cedes ground to competitors.
• Diplomatic isolation: By skipping the talks, the US isolates itself from allies pushing for stronger climate action.
• Domestic policy reversal: Trump’s rollback of emissions-reducing measures could slow US progress on climate goals.
• Public health and environment: Weakening climate policies may lead to increased pollution and adverse health effects.

Comparing US and China on Clean Energy

The table below illustrates the diverging paths of the US and China on key clean energy indicators, based on recent trends and statements from officials.

What to Watch Next

As COP31 continues, the world will be watching how other nations step up in the absence of US leadership. Kerry’s remarks may galvanize countries to pursue ambitious climate goals and strengthen their competitive edge in clean energy.

Meanwhile, Trump’s domestic policies face legal and political challenges. The Biden administration’s climate initiatives, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, have spurred significant investment; a full repeal could face pushback from states and businesses benefiting from the clean energy boom.

For a deeper look at how China is positioning itself as a green energy leader, see our analysis of John Kerry: US and World Must Follow China’s Green Energy Lead. This piece explores Kerry’s earlier warnings about the US falling behind.

The political fallout from Trump’s climate denialism is also playing out in other arenas. As our report on Trump Election Denialism: Democratic Senator Calls Him Sore Loser shows, the former president’s refusal to accept unfavorable outcomes is a recurring theme.

Trump’s penchant for personal attacks extends beyond politics. Recently, he lashed out at comedian Bill Maher, as detailed in Trump Calls Bill Maher a Total Loser in Truth Social Rant. Such behavior underscores the tone of his public discourse. The background to this story is set out in Australia and Turkey Criticized for Hosting COP31 Climate Talks. A related thread runs through COP31 Climate Summit: Can It Deliver on 1.5C Goal.

Beyond politics, the climate crisis is already altering seasons. Our article on Climate Change Is Making Autumn Shorter and Spring the Real Loser explains how global warming is reshaping natural cycles, making the need for action even more urgent. Earlier coverage in Fossil Fuel Emissions Dip 0.4% as COP31 Opens in Turkey shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in COP31 Key Players: Australia, Turkey, and the Fight for Climate.