EU seeks to reduce reliance on US LNG amid geopolitical concerns

European Union officials are increasingly concerned about the bloc's growing reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the United States. The worry stems from recent geopolitical tensions, including US President Donald Trump's threats over Greenland, which have underscored the risks of overdependence on a single supplier.

European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen acknowledged these concerns, stating that as the EU reduces energy imports from Russia, it risks replacing one dependency with another. He revealed plans to explore alternative suppliers, such as Canada, Qatar, and North African countries, to diversify the EU's energy sources. 'Geopolitical unrest over the Greenland crisis was a warning sign,' Jørgensen said, emphasizing the need for stronger relationships with other gas-producing nations.

Despite these efforts, the EU has no intention of restricting trade with the US or provoking trade conflicts. However, diversifying away from American LNG could strain relations with Trump, given that the EU's 2023 trade deal with the US included pledges to purchase $750 billion worth of energy from American companies over three years.

Data from 2024 shows Norway as the EU's top gas supplier, with a 33% share, followed by Russia at 19% and the US at 16.5%. The EU imported nearly 273 billion cubic meters of gas, with LNG accounting for 100 billion cubic meters. The US supplied almost 45% of LNG imports in 2022, a figure that rose to 60% in 2023.