If Joe Biden wants to be known as the first climate president of the United States, he will have to engage his biggest rival on the world stage: President Xi Jinping of China.

Biden and Xi, though, are locked in a very difficult relationship that makes climate cooperation a bit like a couple in divorce court trying to plan their child¡¯s wedding. And, unfortunately for the American president-elect, he won¡¯t be starting from a position of strength.

Xi¡¯s China, which Friday ended days of conspicuous silence on the election result by congratulating Biden, dominates the production of clean energy goods, including solar panels and electric vehicles.