Trump slams data centre backlash, saying China 'could not be happier'
The US president warns American voters they "will only have yourselves to blame" if they kill off data centre development, as the issue gains traction ahead of the midterms.
US President Donald Trump is hitting out at critics of data centres as the issue continues to gain traction with voters. ( Reuters: Kylie Cooper )
Donald Trump says American voters they "will only have yourselves to blame" if they kill off data centre development, as the issue gains traction ahead of the US midterms.
Voters across the political spectrum are voicing their opposition as new data centres push up energy bills and disturb residential communities.
The US is locked in a race to develop AI with China, and Mr Trump says Beijing "could not be happier" about increasing American opposition.
US President Donald Trump has attacked opponents of the data centres powering the artificial intelligence boom, saying superpower rival China "could not be happier" about the growing backlash.
Energy-guzzling data centres have become a surprise issue in November's crucial US midterm elections, with anger among both Democrats and Republicans over rising electricity bills and noise from these facilities.
"The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor," Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
"If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign.
Data centres, like this one seen in Massachusetts, are becoming a hot-button issue for voters ahead of the US midterms. ( Reuters: Brian Snyder )
US candidates in at least 21 races across 18 states have aired television advertisements mentioning data centres this cycle, according to marketing data cited by US media, almost evenly divided between both parties.
But US media reports have suggested that China may also be trying to stoke opposition to data centres, with a congressional committee demanding an investigation.
Mr Trump, who is due to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on September, did not repeat the allegation but said that Beijing would be pleased with the situation.
"China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!" Mr Trump said.
China is on course to nearly double its data centre capacity within the next five years, as an AI race with the United States intensifies.
But data centre development is emerging as a contentious issue in the US and globally.
Last week, Australia's National Cabinet settled on new rules that would allow states to decide how to power new data centres .
That came after Queensland and the Northern Territory objected to a push for all new centres to be required to use renewable energy for electricity.