But they will have to make that case in the face of a U.S. administration that fundamentally disagrees — and sees the clean energy drive as a strategic threat that empowers its great rival, China, a country dominating solar, wind and electric vehicle supply chains.
There is no confirmation that the summit will be a high enough priority for Trump’s Energy Secretary Chris Wright — once the chief exec of a major fracking firm — to turn up in person.
Wright has, however, found time for a tour of the Middle East in April, with a view to strengthening ties with fossil fuel producers like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In Riyadh he signed a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation — and bemoaned a “global movement, including in my country, the United States, that stood in opposition to energy development.”
China’s attendance at the summit is not yet confirmed. The IEA is expected to finalize attendees this week. Energy ministers from Germany, France, Ukraine, South Korea and Turkey are expected to come, along with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen and the bosses of energy firms Shell, Eni and Ørsted.
Meet Tommy and his LNG
Joyce will be leading the U.S. delegation to London, according to one federal official and another individual familiar with the administration’s plans.
He served in the first Trump administration, but is currently in an acting position while Trump’s choice to head the Department of Energy’s international affairs office, David Eisner, awaits Senate confirmation.