Berlin Reproaches US for Selling Gas at “Astronomical” Prices

The German Minister of the Economy deplored on Wednesday the "astronomical" prices demanded by the countries "friends" of Germany, the United States in the lead.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The German Minister of the Economy deplored on Wednesday the “astronomical” prices demanded by countries “friendly” to Germany, led by the United States, to supply gas to compensate for the end of the
Russian deliveries.

“Some countries, even friendly ones, sometimes get astronomical prices,” Robert Habeck said in an interview with the regional daily “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” on Wednesday.

“This poses a problem,” said the minister, who called on the European Commission to “talk” with these countries.

After the invasion of Ukraine, Russia first considerably reduced its gas deliveries to Germany before stopping them at the beginning of September, whereas Russian flows represented 55% of the country’s gas imports before the conflict.

To ensure its energy security and save its gas-intensive industry, Berlin has had to diversify its suppliers and has considerably increased its purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is much more expensive to import.

The country – like the whole continent – has turned to the United States, whose share of European LNG imports has risen from 28% to 45% between 2021 and 2022.

So Habeck specifically targeted U.S. suppliers. “The United States turned to us when oil prices exploded (…) I think that such solidarity would also be useful to cushion gas prices,” said the minister.

Last spring, as oil prices soared, the United States, followed by its allies in the International Energy Agency (IEA), dipped into its national strategic reserves of barrels to relieve pressure on the markets.

Berlin is also calling on the European Union to coordinate its gas purchases to bring prices down.

The EU must “pool its market power and orchestrate intelligent and synchronized purchasing behavior (…) so that different EU countries do not outbid each other,” he added.

To cap gas prices for its citizens and businesses, the German government already announced last week a massive 200 billion euro aid package.

This initiative has been criticized by its European neighbors, led by France and Italy, accusing Berlin of going it alone on the subject.

Ottawa and London increased bilateral exchanges to structure strategic cooperation on nuclear energy and critical minerals supply chains, as part of Canada’s G7 presidency.
Donald Trump says he secured Narendra Modi’s commitment to end Russian oil imports, adding political pressure to India-Russia trade relations.
Under intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, member states of the International Maritime Organization agreed to postpone by one year the adoption of a carbon pricing mechanism for global maritime transport.
Washington confirms it has mandated the CIA to carry out secret actions against Nicolas Maduro’s government, escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela amid geostrategic and energy stakes.
Two European Parliament committees propose to advance the full halt of Russian hydrocarbon imports to 2026 and 2027, including oil, gas, and LNG, strengthening the European Union’s geopolitical position.
The COP30 conference hosted in the Amazon by Brazil faces low participation from global leaders, amid geopolitical tensions and major logistical challenges.
The United States has granted Trinidad and Tobago a special licence to resume negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon gas field, partially lifting restrictions imposed on the Venezuelan energy sector.
Ambassadors of European Union member states have approved the transmission of a legislative proposal to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by January 2028 to the Council of Ministers.
The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.
Al-Harfi and SCLCO signed agreements with Syrian authorities to develop solar and wind capacity, amid an ongoing energy rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visits Greenland to expand energy ties with the European Union, amid plans to double EU funding for the 2028–2034 period.
European and Iranian foreign ministers meet in New York to try to prevent the reinstatement of UN sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a bilateral agreement with Mexico including targeted investments in energy corridors, logistics infrastructure and cross-border security.
The US president has called for an immediate end to Russian oil imports by NATO countries, denouncing a strategic contradiction as sanctions against Moscow are being considered.
Tehran withdrew a resolution denouncing attacks on its nuclear facilities, citing US pressure on IAEA members who feared suspension of Washington’s voluntary contributions.
Poland’s energy minister calls on European Union member states to collectively commit to halting Russian oil purchases within two years, citing increasing geopolitical risks.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.