Chinese companies have stopped or delayed billions of dollars in clean energy projects across the United States during President Donald Trump’s second term. New research shows that many firms now see the American market as too risky for large green energy investments. Analysts from Rhodium Group said Chinese firms have paused, delayed, or canceled more than half of the clean energy projects they planned in the United States since 2022. The total value of abandoned projects has reached about $2.8 billion. The shift marks a major change for the U.S. clean energy sector. Under former President Joe Biden, the government pushed large investments into renewable energy, electric vehicles, battery plants, and modern infrastructure. Many projects were backed by a huge federal spending package aimed at improving roads, power systems, and clean technology. Now, industry experts say the business climate has changed sharply. Margaret Jackson, a former senior counselor at the Commerce Department, said the current policy environment has become more restrictive for Chinese investors. She now works with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Jackson believes there is little support inside the Trump administration for expanding Chinese investment in American clean technology projects. The research also found that clean tech investment slowed in China, Europe, and the United States during Trump’s first year back in office. However, China’s reaction stood out because many firms decided to pull away from the U.S. market completely. China remains the world’s largest producer of solar equipment, batteries, and electric vehicle technology. Massive state support helped China grow its clean energy manufacturing industry from $37 billion in 2018 to around $189 billion in 2023. That rapid growth gave China strong control over major parts of the global solar market. At the same time, it created concerns about overproduction and falling profits. Even with fewer investments in the United States, China continues to expand its solar industry at home. According to Rhodium analysts, China currently has around 485 gigawatts of solar production capacity under construction. Experts say that amount could power roughly 425 million homes each year. Another 1.3 terawatts of solar capacity has also been announced but not yet started. If those projects move forward, China could double its solar energy output in the coming years. The report said China’s new policies are focused on protecting its global leadership in solar technology and electric vehicle supply chains. Officials also want to reduce overseas dependence while improving advanced technology at home. Several major Chinese solar companies have already reduced their American operations. This month, solar giant JinkoSolar sold a 75.1% stake in its U.S. business to a private investment firm. The company’s large solar panel factory in Jacksonville, Florida, will now operate under new ownership. Another Chinese company, Trina Solar, also sold most of its U.S. solar factory business to American company T1 Energy after Trump returned to office. Last year, JA Solar sold its Arizona solar assembly plant to Corning. Industry experts say much of the uncertainty comes from new Foreign Entity of Concern restrictions introduced under Trump-era legislation. The rules limit how much Chinese ownership can exist in U.S. energy projects. The restrictions have created legal and financial pressure for foreign companies that want to stay in the American clean energy market. Some analysts believe Chinese companies are still keeping small financial stakes in U.S. factories. However, many firms now appear cautious about making larger commitments until policies become clearer. Experts warn that the changes could increase electricity prices in the United States while slowing the country’s clean energy expansion. Aaron Halimi, chief executive of Renewable Properties, said the restrictions will likely raise the cost of power across America in the coming years. Supporters of the tougher rules argue the United States must reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains for national security reasons. Critics, however, say the pullback could hurt America’s transition to cleaner and cheaper energy. The growing divide between Washington and Beijing now appears set to shape the future of the global clean energy industry for years to come.