An LNG tanker at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal
LNG gets political
From China blocking US LNG to Trump demanding that various countries import more of the fuel, the politicisation of LNG is on the rise
The severing of LNG trade between the world’s largest exporter, the US, and its top importer, China, has not triggered any major upheaval in global flows of the fuel, largely owing to the limited volumes involved. China imported just 4.2mt of US LNG in 2024, according to its customs data—only around 5% of its total imports and a similarly small share of US exports. In short, neither country is particularly reliant on the other for energy security, despite their outsized presence in the global LNG market. Nonetheless, the breakdown is significant as it highlights a growing shift in LNG trade. A market that usually offers versatile supply and is commercially driven, is becoming more fragmented
Also in this section
11 February 2026
North African producer plans to boost output by early 2030, with Europe its number one priority as export destination
11 February 2026
Maritime leaders at LNG2026 warned of the dangers of over-regulation on competitiveness, sustainability and innovation
10 February 2026
The country has opened bidding on 50 blocks in a new licensing round but will face competition for attention and will need to address concerns about security and legislation
10 February 2026
The alliance is keeping output on track and the market in balance amid geopolitical tensions and a fragile supply-demand ledger
