US urges LNG import ahead of high-level tariff talks with Korea

Washington renewed calls Friday for Korea to increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Alaska, ahead of formal negotiations next week aimed at reducing tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump's revised trade strategy. However, Seoul remained cautious about gas imports from the northwestern U.S. state and a related pipeline construction project, amid persistent concerns over their feasibility. Tommy Joyce, acting assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of International Affairs, encouraged Korea and other allies to support the U.S. government's plan to expand LNG exports, which it claims will help bolster global energy security. "The Trump administration is committed to unlocking the 20 million tons per year of gas exports from Alaska and views this as a fantastic opportunity to strengthen Asia's energy security," Joyce said in a pre-recorded video message during the Evolving Energy Forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM). He described Korea as a key player in helping unleash American energy and advancing Trump's vision of buil