Trade war spills over
US-China tensions likely to prompt shift in crude, LNG flows
The escalating trade conflict between Donald Trump's US Administration and China overflowed into energy markets in August, as China announced that it's prepared to impose tariffs of up to 25% on US energy exports. Analysts and industry officials believe the tariffs, if imposed, could have significant longer-term effects on the US oil and liquefied natural gas industries. Since the US renewed large-scale exports of crude oil in 2015 and LNG from the Lower 48 States in 2016, China has emerged as a significant importer of both. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) says that, in 2017, China took in 224,000 barrels a day, or 20% of US oil exports. By May of this year US exports to China
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
