Trump pushes for 'beautiful, clean coal' to boost US energy, counter China

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to restart coal-based energy production, calling it “beautiful, clean coal” in an attempt to counter China’s economic advantage from coal-powered electricity. 

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, the Trump said that environmental policies had held the US back while China opened hundreds of coal-fired power plants.

"After years of being held captive by Environmental Extremists, Lunatics, Radicals, and Thugs, allowing other Countries, in particular China, to gain tremendous Economic advantage over us by opening up hundreds of all Coal Fire Power Plants," Trump wrote.

He further added, "I am authorizing my Administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN coal."

After years of being held captive by Environmental Extremists, Lunatics, Radicals, and Thugs, allowing other Countries, in particular China, to gain tremendous Economic advantage over us by opening up hundreds of all Coal Fire Power Plants, I am authorizing my Administration to…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 17, 2025

Last month, Trump signed an order to create the National Energy Dominance Council to boost oil and gas production in the country. His administration also approved a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in Louisiana, the first approval of its kind since former President Joe Biden paused new LNG export projects a year ago.  

Trump also instructed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to lift Biden’s ban on future offshore oil drilling along the East and West coasts. He argued that Biden’s decision had blocked access to more than 625 million acres of offshore land that could have helped increase US energy production.  

Additionally, Trump promised to restart a canceled natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York, claiming it could cut energy prices in the Northeast by up to 70 per cent.  

US-China trade war  

Meanwhile, China is stepping up ways to boost domestic spending as Trump threatens more trade restrictions. On Monday, Chinese officials announced plans to encourage people to spend more to counter the effects of US trade policies.  

Earlier, China introduced new tariffs in response to Trump’s second round of tax increases on Chinese goods. The Chinese government imposed a 15 per cent tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, along with a 10 per cent tariff on crude oil, farm equipment, and large-engine vehicles. Other US products such as chicken, wheat, corn, soybeans, pork, beef, and fruit will also face higher taxes.