Newsom Reassures Europe on Temporary Trump Climate Impact

California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday, reassuring European leaders that President Donald Trump's influence on U.S. policy, particularly regarding climate change, is temporary and urging continued partnerships with American states amid federal uncertainty.

Newsom, speaking to a panel of international figures, emphasized that Trump "will be measured in years, not decades," predicting electoral losses in the 2026 midterms and legal challenges to policies like expanded tariffs. He positioned California as a "stable and reliable partner" on global issues, especially climate, contrasting the state's commitments with the Trump administration's recent deregulatory moves. "Donald Trump's brand of politics does not represent enduring American values," Newsom said, while encouraging Europe to maintain subnational ties with U.S. states during this "period of instability." He noted that Europe's response to U.S. shifts has fostered greater unity on the continent, adding, "Maybe that is the one contribution of Donald Trump."

The governor's remarks followed a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who described Europe's fate as...