US Will “One Day” Return to Climate Commitments, China Says at COP30

China believes the United States will eventually return to global climate negotiations, the head of Beijing’s delegation said on Wednesday at the COP30 summit in Belem, Brazil.

He stressed that the world must demonstrate that the shift toward a green, low-carbon future “cannot be reversed.” Cooperation between China and the US — the world’s two largest economies and biggest emitters — has historically played a central role in breaking stalemates at UN climate talks. But this year, President Donald Trump, who withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, has chosen not to participate in the discussions.

“Addressing climate change requires every country,” said Li Gao, China’s chief negotiator and a deputy environment minister. “We hope that someday, and we believe that someday, the US will come back.”

Li contrasted the Trump administration’s renewed focus on fossil fuels with China’s rapid expansion of renewables and electric vehicles. He said China’s main objective at COP30 is to support the Brazilian presidency in sending “a strong political signal” that global climate cooperation must continue.

“It is important that all parties show solidarity and commit to working together so this becomes an implementation COP,” he said, cautioning countries to avoid the “negative impact” of geopolitical tensions and protectionism.

Climate finance remains one of the key issues at COP30. Delegates are discussing how developing nations can be supported in transitioning to clean energy and adapting to climate risks. At COP29 last year, developed countries agreed to provide $300 billion a year in climate finance to poorer nations by 2035 — a figure many critics say falls well short of what is needed. They also endorsed a broader target of helping mobilize $1.3 trillion annually from public and private sources.

A report released by the COP29 and COP30 presidencies says the world has the tools to reach these goals. Li welcomed the report but insisted that wealthy nations must honour their commitments. “The $300 billion pledge is their responsibility,” he said.