Taiwan considers increasing its imports of American natural gas

Amid trade tensions with the United States, Taiwan's state-owned CPC Corporation is exploring an increase in its purchases of American natural gas. This decision could reshape its supplier distribution and redefine its international energy relations.

Share:

Taiwan, which relies almost entirely on imports for its energy supply, may increase its purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. This announcement follows former President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Taiwanese semiconductors, a key sector of the island’s economy.

Strategic imports in transition

Currently, Taiwan sources most of its LNG from Australia (38%), Qatar (25%), and the United States (approximately 10%), according to public data. Diversifying its supply sources is a strategic priority for CPC Corporation, which seeks to secure its energy access while reducing dependence on high-risk trade routes.

In a statement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs specified that CPC Corporation was “very interested” in natural gas from Alaska, emphasizing shorter transport times and the diversification of maritime routes as key factors.

A commercial rapprochement with the United States?

This shift comes as Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Taiwanese semiconductor imports, even threatening to impose a 100% tax on these products. In this context, increasing American LNG purchases could be seen as a diplomatic tool to maintain balanced economic relations between the two partners.

Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Kuo Jyh-huei, announced that a government representative would travel to the United States to discuss the situation with Donald Trump’s entourage. This initiative could help ease tensions and negotiate more favorable trade conditions for Taiwanese exports.

An evolving energy market

If this strategy materializes, it could redefine the landscape of energy trade in Asia. Increased imports from the United States would provide Taiwan with greater flexibility in its energy supply while strengthening the position of American producers in the Asian LNG market.

At the same time, this shift could impact Taiwan’s trade relations with its historical suppliers, particularly Australia and Qatar, who may need to adapt to this potential redistribution of market shares.

Solar power generation increased sharply in the United States in June, significantly reducing natural gas consumption in the power sector, despite relatively stable overall electricity demand.
Golden Pass LNG, jointly owned by Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy, has asked US authorities for permission to re-export liquefied natural gas starting October 1, anticipating the imminent launch of its operations in Texas.
Delfin Midstream reserves gas turbine manufacturing capacity with Siemens Energy and initiates an early works programme with Samsung Heavy Industries, ahead of its anticipated final investment decision in the autumn.
Norwegian group DNO ASA signs gas offtake contract with ENGIE and secures USD 500 million financing from a major US bank to guarantee future revenues from its Norwegian gas production.
Golar LNG Limited has completed a private placement of $575mn in convertible bonds due in 2030, using part of the proceeds to repurchase and cancel 2.5 million of its own common shares, thus reducing its share capital.
Shell Canada Energy announces shipment of the first liquefied natural gas cargo from its LNG Canada complex, located in Kitimat, British Columbia, primarily targeting fast-growing Asian economic and energy markets.
The Australian government is considering the establishment of an east coast gas reservation as part of a sweeping review of market rules to ensure supply, with risks of shortages signalled by 2028.
The increase in oil drilling, deepwater exploration, and chemical advances are expected to raise the global drilling fluids market to $10.7bn by 2032, according to Meticulous Research.
The small-scale liquefied natural gas market is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 7.5%, reaching an estimated total value of $31.78bn by 2030, driven particularly by maritime and heavy-duty road transport sectors.
The European Union extends gas storage regulations by two years, requiring member states to maintain a minimum fill rate of 90% to ensure energy security and economic stability amid market uncertainties.
Energy Transfer strengthens its partnership with Chevron by increasing their liquefied natural gas supply agreement by 50% from the upcoming Lake Charles LNG export terminal, strategically aiming for long-term supply security.
Woodside finalises the divestment of a 40% stake in the Louisiana LNG project to Stonepeak, injecting $5.7 billion to accelerate developments and optimise financial returns ahead of first gas delivery scheduled in 2026.
Keranic Industrial Gas seals a sixty-day exclusivity deal to buy Royal Helium’s key assets, raise CAD9.5mn ($7.0mn) and bring Alberta’s Steveville plant back online in under fifteen weeks.
The Irish-Portuguese company Fusion Fuel strengthens its footprint in the United Arab Emirates as subsidiary Al Shola Gas adds AED4.4 mn ($1.2 mn) in new engineering contracts, consolidating an already robust 2025 order book.
Cheniere Energy validates major investment to expand Corpus Christi terminal, adding two liquefaction units to increase its liquefied natural gas export capacity by 2029, responding to recent international agreements.
A study by the International Energy Agency reveals that global emissions from liquefied natural gas could be significantly reduced using current technologies.
Europe is injecting natural gas into underground storage facilities at a three-year high, even as reserves remain below historical averages, prompting maximized imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
South Korea abandons plans to lower electricity rates this summer, fearing disruptions in liquefied natural gas supply due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, despite recent declines in fuel import costs.
Russia positions itself to supply liquefied natural gas to Mexico and considers expanded technological sharing in the energy sector, according to Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov.
Israel has partially resumed its natural gas exports to Egypt and Jordan following a week-long halt due to the closure of two major offshore gas fields, Leviathan and Karish.