Former United States President Donald J. Trump has said the United States is far ahead of China in artificial intelligence development, while defending nuclear energy and sharply criticising Europe’s reliance on renewable energy.
Trump made the remarks on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, while speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
Addressing global political and business leaders, Trump said the US has taken a different approach to powering its growing artificial intelligence industry, arguing that his policies helped avoid what he described as an energy crisis. “And we’re leading the world in AI, by a lot. We’re leading China by a lot,” he said.
He attributed the progress to allowing major technology companies to generate their own power, particularly for energy hungry AI facilities. “I’ve allowed these big companies, building these massive buildings, to build their own electric capacity. They’re building their own power plants, which, when add it up, is more than any country, anywhere in the world is doing,” Trump stated.
Trump said the country needed a massive expansion in energy supply to support artificial intelligence growth. “We needed more than double the energy currently in the country just to take care of the AI plants. We have an old grid system,” he said.
On energy sources, Trump defended nuclear power, describing major improvements in safety and cost. “Not a big fan, because I didn’t like the risk, the danger, but the progress they’ve made with nuclear is unbelievable, and the safety progress they’ve made is incredible.
“We were very much into the world of nuclear energy. And we can have it now at good prices, and very, very safe,” he said.
He contrasted the US approach with Europe’s energy policies, blaming renewable energy for rising electricity costs and reduced output. “Because of my landslide election victory, the United States avoided the catastrophic energy collapse, which befell every European nation, that pursued the Green News scam. Perhaps the greatest hoax in history,” Trump said.
Citing specific examples, he added, “Germany now generates 22% less electricity than it did in 2017… And electricity prices are 64% higher.”
He also criticised the United Kingdom’s energy production, saying, “The United Kingdom produces just one third of the total energy from all sources that it did in 1919.”
Trump questioned China’s commitment to renewable energy, particularly wind power, despite being a major manufacturer. “China makes almost all of the windmills… And yet, I haven’t been able to find any wind farms in China. Did you ever think of that?” he said.
He claimed China relies mainly on fossil fuels, adding, “They use it in cold coals, mostly. China goes with the call. They go with oil and gas. They’re starting to look nuclear a little bit. And they’re doing just fine.”
Trump argued that renewable energy policies have broader social and economic consequences. “The consequences of such destructive policies have been stark, including lower economic growth, lower standards of living, lower birth rates, more socially disruptive migration,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Trump said strong energy, trade and economic policies are essential for Western unity. “That’s why issues like energy, trade, immigration, and economic growth must be central concerns to anyone who wants to see a strong in united west,” he stated.
The comments added to ongoing global debates at Davos over artificial intelligence, energy security and the future direction of economic growth.
Ademide Adebayo
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