When we think of the U.S.–China rivalry, headlines often focus on trade wars, Taiwan, or Artificial Intelligence. But one of the most consequential battlegrounds is undoubtedly energy, which underpins each economy. Who will invent, build, and export the technologies that power the 21st century?

This week, Political Climate sits down with global energy policy expert Amy Myers Jaffe, Director of the Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab at NYU, to unpack the race for energy dominance.

On one side, the U.S. is pumping record amounts of oil and gas, while policy momentum for low-carbon solutions has stalled although the industry has not. On the other, China is deploying solar, wind, EVs, and batteries at record scale and exporting clean energy technologies worldwide as part of a strategic plan, even as it continues to rely heavily on coal at home.

So which strategy holds the upper hand? Where do the cracks appear in each country’s approach? And who is truly positioned to be the global leader on energy (and perhaps on other issues too) in the decades to come?

We also kick off with a recap of recent developments in Washington, highlights from RE+ in Las Vegas, and a preview of New York Climate Week.