<p>Energy is fundamental to economic development while also being central to efforts to mitigate climate change. This study explores how digital empowerment impacts international energy competitiveness, assessed through trade-induced domestic energy intensity. Empirical testing is conducted using manufacturing data from 43 major economies worldwide. The results indicate that digital empowerment contributes to lowering trade-induced energy intensity in manufacturing. The three mechanisms are industrial upgrading, trade position enhancement, and energy structure optimization. Notably, the effects of digital empowerment from foreign sources and the role of developing economies are particularly pronounced. Further analysis reveals a U-shaped relationship in developed economies, where digital empowerment initially reduces and subsequently increases trade-induced domestic energy intensity, whereas developing economies display the opposite pattern. Building on these findings, the research clarifies mechanisms through which digital transformation enhances industrial energy efficiency and suggests policy directions to boost global competitiveness and support sustainable industrial transformation.</p>