Japan, South Korea, and other nations have expressed interest in partnering with the United States on a massive natural gas pipeline in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, claiming that these countries would invest “trillions of dollars each.”
In an address to the U.S. Congress, Trump stated that the pipeline would be among the largest in the world.
“Japan, South Korea, and other nations want to be our partners, with investments of trillions of dollars each,” he said.
South Korea’s industry ministry confirmed that Minister Ahn Duk-geun discussed the project with U.S. officials during a visit to Washington last week, though no concrete details have been finalized.
“We will actively engage in discussions with the United States moving forward, as this is a matter of mutual interest,” a ministry spokesperson said following Trump’s remarks.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ahn stated that the U.S. had approached South Korea and other nations to gauge their interest in participating in the Alaskan liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
Seoul and Washington have agreed to establish a working-level group to discuss issues related to the pipeline, energy cooperation, shipbuilding, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers. Ahn’s visit to Washington was also aimed at securing exemptions from Trump administration tariffs, which are expected to significantly impact South Korea’s export-driven economy.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated on Wednesday that expanding American imports of gas, bioethanol, and ammonia would serve the national interests of both Japan and the U.S. by stabilizing Japan’s energy supply while reducing the U.S. trade deficit. He made similar comments after meeting with Trump last month.
“We will carefully examine its technical feasibility and profitability,” Ishiba said during a parliamentary session.
In his address to Congress, Trump reiterated his tariff policies, emphasizing that it was now the U.S.’s turn to impose tariffs in response to those levied by other nations. He announced that reciprocal tariffs would take effect on April 2, claiming that South Korea’s average tariff rate was four times higher than that of the U.S., despite American military and economic support to the country.
South Korea’s trade ministry countered that the nation’s tariff rate on U.S. imports stood at approximately 0.79% last year under the bilateral free trade agreement. The ministry added that it would continue to communicate with Washington through multiple channels regarding tariffs.
On Sunday, White House National Energy Dominance Council co-chair Doug Burgum stated that the proposed 800-mile Alaska LNG pipeline would enable the U.S. to supply energy to its allies while generating revenue for the U.S. Treasury.
Although the Alaska LNG project faces significant cost and logistical challenges, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and other nations have shown increasing interest in boosting U.S. gas imports. While Japanese officials have not confirmed participation in the pipeline, they have agreed to explore the opportunity, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Japan’s trade minister is scheduled to visit Washington this month to negotiate tariff exemptions and discuss Japan’s plans to increase LNG imports from the U.S.