China Surges Ahead of the US in Global Energy Export Race

China has emerged as the clear leader in the intensifying global competition for energy export dominance, outpacing the United States by focusing on clean energy technologies. While the US remains a major exporter of fossil fuels, China’s strategy centres on supplying the world with electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, batteries and other carbon-cutting technologies [1][2].

According to data from think-tank Ember, China’s clean energy exports reached a record US$20 billion in August 2025, even as global technology prices continued to fall. Over the first seven months of the year, the country exported US$120 billion worth of green technologies, compared with the US’s US$80 billion in oil and gas exports over the same period [1][2].

Euan Graham, a data analyst at Ember, noted that China’s record export value came despite declining technology prices, indicating a sharp rise in export volumes [1][2]. In fact, China’s solar exports alone amounted to 46,000 megawatts of power capacity in August, a record high, underscoring the scale of its global reach [2].

China’s influence is also expanding in emerging markets, with more than half of its electric vehicle exports in 2025 destined for countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Meanwhile, the US continues to prioritise fossil fuel exports, with former president Donald Trump’s administration seeking to further expand production while easing environmental regulations [2].

Industry experts suggest that China’s clean technology exports may yield longer-term global influence. As Greg Jackson, Chief Executive of UK-based Octopus Energy, explained, “Clean energy exports are hardware… which once a country has bought it, will generate electricity for a decade or two to come. Whereas with gas, the day you buy it, you use it, it’s gone forever” [2].

References
[1] China is beating the US in the battle for energy export dominance, The Business Times. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/energy-commodities/china-beating-us-battle-energy-export-dominance?ref=pulse
[2] China is beating the US in battle for energy export dominance, The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/china-is-beating-the-us-in-battle-for-energy-export-dominance