Guwahati, May 4 -- Yixian Sun, University of Bath

The second Trump administration has announced various anti-climate policies under its "America first" strategy. Leaving the Paris agreement, kicking off a trade war, shutting down USAid and drilling for more oil and gas will not only undermine the US's international reputation but will undermine the global effort to combat climate change.

With the US in retreat from climate action and Europe preoccupied by security challenges, new leadership is urgently needed. China may be poised to fill this gap.

The country is already dominant in most clean technologies, and its top leaders say climate action can help the country fulfil its responsibilities as a major power. The Chinese president, Xi...