As Trump fanatically promotes fossil fuels in the US, his Presidency will be remembered for causing a profound global clean energy shift. His Iran War and the consequent closing of the Strait of Hormuz cut 20% of global crude oil supply (and Liquified Natural Gas). Now the Houthis in Yemen are threatening another big oil/gas supply route, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the bottom of the Red Sea. The Ukrainians are blowing up Russian oil refineries curtailing gasoline and diesel production from the globe’s third largest producer (after the US and the Middle East).
That’s why countries around the world who depend on oil and gas imports (and most do) are scrambling to build utility scale solar/wind/battery power and replace their vehicle fleets with EVs. The War drives home the importance of energy independence versus reliance on global fuel supplies from the Middle East and Russia — and even the US. Before the War it was already a close call on the purchase price and cost of operation between EVs versus gas/diesel vehicles — the same for the costs of electrical power from solar/wind/battery farms versus natural gas fired power plants. Now it’s not.
Here’s the response to my Google query what countries are doing in response to the War:
Surging Imports: 50 countries set records for Chinese solar imports in March, and the Philippines imported over $400 million in solar panels (a 139% increase) from February to May. India's solar component intake jumped nearly 150%, and Africa's rose 176%. [1 (https://www.npr.org/2026/07/09/nx-s1-5872786/iran-war-evs-solar-energy-transition), 2 (https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/24/the-war-in-iran-has-unleashed-a-clean-energy-boom-but-trump-is-leaving-america-behind/)]
National Policy Pivots: Vietnam changed a planned major liquefied natural gas plant into a wind, solar, and battery facility, while South Korea fast-tracked 100 gigawatts of renewables by 2030. [1 (https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/07/24/the-war-in-iran-has-unleashed-a-clean-energy-boom-but-trump-is-leaving-america-behind/)]
Economic Cushioning: Pakistan's prior solar and battery investments cut fossil fuel imports, saving billions during the crisis, and Spain maintained low energy costs by generating over 56% of power from renewables. [1 (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZZxBsZm2ILo), 2 (https://www.npr.org/2026/07/09/nx-s1-5872786/iran-war-evs-solar-energy-transition)]
Putting aside the multiple costs of the War, clean energy policymakers never dreamed of a sea change like this. Previously, any policies designed to curtail fossil fuel supplies (which increases prices and lowers demand) were nonstarters for how they hurt consumers. The only policies with a chance of getting enacted had to reduce fossil fuel demand, like incentives for renewables and EVs.
So the idea that Trump would be THE INSTRUMENT to sharply cut global crude and natural gas supply and sharply raise prices by starting a Middle East war, was unthinkable. BUT THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HE’S DONE.
Going forward, Iran is sure as heck going to go for tolling tankers. When and if the oil/gas starts flowing again, it could easily be subject to a 20% toll. So, at a miserable time on climate in America, it’s fun to see a bright lining.
