Trump-Xi Talks May Unfreeze $6 Billion in Stalled US-China LNG Trade
US and Chinese trade talks could revive a $6 billion-a-year trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to an EnergyNow.com report. The US is the world's largest exporter of LNG, and China is its top buyer.
The two countries' relationship frayed after February 2025 when President Trump began imposing tariffs on Chinese goods. Beijing retaliated with punitive levies on US energy, including LNG, effectively stopping imports in 2025.
However, there are signs that some Chinese companies are positioning themselves for a change this month. China Gas Holdings Ltd. recently agreed to buy US LNG for 20 years starting in 2030.
The revival of LNG trade could be a win for both sides. For Beijing, it's a relatively minor concession and a useful one, considering the current supply crunch around the Persian Gulf and its dependence on Qatar, which is all but cut off.