An Alaskan gas pipeline project is being discussed between the US and Japan.
This follows last week’s meeting between President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba in Washington (DC).
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| Photo credit - NDTV World |
“We’re talking about a joint venture of some type between Japan and US.., having to do with Alaska oil and gas,” Trump said last Friday at a joint press conference with the Japanese Prime Minister at the White House.
The president said Japan would also start to import new shipments of US LNG “in record numbers” and accused his predecessor, Joe Biden, of failing to help Japan address its energy needs.
“We also confirmed we will co-operate to strengthen energy security between the two countries, including increasing exports of United States liquefied natural gas to Japan in a mutually beneficial manner,” Trump said. “Japan wanted to buy LNG and Biden wouldn’t sell it. I’m trying to figure that one out. Maybe it was the environment.”
Trump did not name the project, which is the subject of discussions, but before his meeting with Ishiba, the President was urged to encourage investment in a $44 bill natural gas export project long planned in the state.
The Alaska Gasline Development Corp project has been prioritised by Republicans, including the President, who promised just after the election he would ensure it “gets built to provide affordable energy to Alaska and allies all over the world.”
Trump also used the 20th January executive order to make clear it’s now US policy to “prioritise the development of Alaska’s liquefied natural gas potential, including the sale and transportation of Alaskan LNG to other regions of the US and allied nations within the Pacific region.”
Gov Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, told Alaska’s News Source on Friday that it was very important the President mentioned Alaska LNG during the press conference and to the Japanese Prime Minister.
“No other states got in their own executive order and the gas line there was a two-minute campaign video that the president did before the election about Alaska. And he brings up the gas line,” Dunleavy said. “He’s got a real affinity for Alaska, which I’m very grateful for.”
“Things are looking better and better every day,” Dunleavy added. “This is exciting news and it’s great to have an ally and somebody in office that wants to see this through.”
Sen Sullivan, R-Alaska, also made a statement in the press release, expressing optimism on the future of Alaska LNG.
“With his leadership, we will get the Alaska LNG Project built, which will create thousands of good-paying jobs, reinvigorate our American steel industry, significantly reduce our trade deficit in Asia, and deliver clean-burning Alaska gas for Americans, our military, and our allies in the Asia/Pacific, like Japan.
Alaskans stand ready to work with the Trump administration, Japan and the private sector to realise a dream that we have been pursuing for almost half a century,” he said.
In addition, Taiwan is also in negotiations to purchase LNG.
State-owned CPC Corp and the economy ministry are in negotiations with an Alaska-based export plant for supplies, Taipei-based Central News Agency claimed, citing an unidentified ministry official.
South Korea, Vietnam and the European Union are among energy buyers trying to reduce the threat of tariffs by seeking to increase US LNG purchases.
Taiwan’s trade surplus with the US surged more than 80% to a record $64.9 bill last year. The country received about 10% of its LNG from the US last year.
However, most shipments arrived from Australia and Qatar under long-term supply contracts.
