The energy policies of the United States and Europe have shown significant divergence, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) facing pressure from the U.S. government. Since the initiation of the “Trump 2.0” era, the U.S. administration has shifted its stance on climate change and energy transition policies, particularly regarding international organizations. In April, Politico reported that U.S. officials at a recent IEA meeting strongly urged the agency to “return to its roots.” This essentially means that the IEA should refocus on oil and gas, sidelining discussions on renewable energy or alternatives to fossil fuels.
European officials have expressed deep dissatisfaction with this approach from the Trump administration and have strongly resisted it. One European official stated that the underlying intention of the Trump administration is clear: “If the IEA does not comply with U.S. demands, the U.S. will undermine the agency, potentially rendering it ineffective.”
Established in 1974 and headquartered in Paris, the IEA was created in response to the oil embargo crisis imposed by Arab oil-producing countries. In recent years, as the international community has confronted climate change, the IEA’s focus has gradually shifted from stabilizing oil supply to promoting a transition to green energy. Notably, the agency has released numerous energy analysis and outlook reports, predicting peak global oil demand, facilitating carbon neutrality, and advancing renewable energy development. These positions starkly contrast with those of right-wing conservative politicians in the West who have historically supported oil and gas energy.
Ironically, the United States played a pivotal role in the establishment of the IEA, originally aiming to unite Western allies to enhance bargaining power against oil-producing countries and ensure its own energy security. However, the current Trump administration’s rejection of the climate change agenda has become an internal challenge that the IEA must confront. Public data indicates that over the past decade, 14% of the IEA’s annual budget has come from the U.S., making it a significant member. Previously, Trump called for a comprehensive review of U.S. participation in international organizations, with an analysis report expected by August. The findings of this review could have substantial implications for various international organizations, including the IEA. Analysts suggest that if the ideological differences between the Trump administration and these organizations remain irreconcilable, the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing from them cannot be ruled out.
Some media outlets have also noted the Trump administration’s serious dissatisfaction with the IEA’s current director, Fatih Birol. For some time, Birol has been regarded as a key advocate for the transition to green energy. U.S. Senator John Barrasso from Wyoming has publicly criticized Birol, explicitly calling for the IEA to halt all energy research related to climate change. Michael Bradshaw, a global energy professor at the University of Warwick, commented that the differing perceptions of the IEA’s agenda and direction between the U.S. and Europe are a source of ongoing friction, placing Birol in a difficult position of trying to balance these conflicting stances.
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