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