Trump plans LNG boom: Europe's gas future in danger?

Trump plans LNG boom: Europe's gas future in danger?

In an explosive situation, a drastic change in US LNG policy is on the horizon. Around 84 percent of German LNG imports already come from the USA, where the fossil gas is predominantly obtained using the harmful fracking method. The outgoing US president imposed a moratorium on LNG exports in 2023, but newly elected President Donald Trump plans to lift these restrictions immediately after taking office. This could significantly impact energy trade between the US and Europe, as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has previously suggested a deal to increase US LNG exports to avoid trade conflicts, such as oekonews.at report.

Trump's return to power could usher LNG markets into a golden era. Its pro-energy measures include faster approvals for LNG projects and a doubling of export capacity by 2030. However, a sudden increase in LNG supply could increase the risk of market saturation and depress prices, as oilprice.com explained. The European market is reliant on finding alternative sources of Russian gas, further underscoring the importance of US LNG expansion in the coming years. The “World LNG Summit” begins in Berlin on December 9th, at which criticism of fossil energy production from Greenpeace and other groups will be loud, while at the same time the debate about Europe's energy future will be heated.

Protests against LNG imports

As US warfare in the LNG sector advances, Greenpeace is calling for a demonstration in Berlin on December 10th. The Trump administration's approval acceleration for LNG projects could not only change market conditions but also increase geopolitical tensions, particularly given Europe's dependence on fossil fuels. This means that the pressure on European countries to become independent of Russian gas will continue to grow, while the expansion of the LNG infrastructure in Europe is about to be completed, but is already being critically questioned.