<scp>US</scp> trade deals lock in liquefied natural gas sales with <scp>EU</scp> , Japan, and South Korea

US trade deals lock in liquefied natural gas sales with EU, Japan, and South KoreaThe Trump administration has secured liquefied natural gas (LNG) export commitments as part of US trade deals with countries seeking to avoid high tariffs.So far, agreements have been reached with the EU, Japan, and South Korea, and further commitments are possible with other countries.However, it is unclear if some of the commitments will be met.A similar deal done with China under President Trump's previous administration fell far short.The United States has secured a number of LNG export deals as part of broader trade deals over recent weeks.In late July, the United States signed a deal with the EU, in which the bloc committed to buy $750 bnworth of US energy (including LNG, crude and oil products) over 3 years, as well as investing in the United States and buying more weapons.Shortly afterwards, Japan agreed to a combined $550 bn in investments, loans and guarantees.While Japan did not commit to any general energy or LNG import targets under the deal, its main commercial buyer, JERA, separately signed several 20-year deals in the runup to the agreement.This amounted to 5.5 mn mt/yr of US LNG-pushing the US share of JERA's purchases up to 30% from 10% before.South Korea has also agreed to invest $350 bn in the United States, of which $150 bn would be allocated to cooperation to revive the US shipbuilding industry and $100 bn to purchases of US energy products over 3.5 years, including LNG. 1 In exchange, the EU, Japan and South Korea secured a reduced tariff of 15% on most goods exported to the United States.