President Donald Trump said Taiwan has agreed to buy 30% of the liquefied natural gas from the proposed Alaska LNG project for the next two decades, offering a major potential demand anchor for the multibillion-dollar development.
Taiwan Deal Anchors Alaska LNG Demand
“Taiwan has just agreed to buy 30% of the gas coming off the pipeline for the next 20 years,” Trump said Tuesday at a rally in Wasilla, Alaska. “That guarantees a success.” Reuters reported that the agreement’s detailed terms were not immediately clear and Taiwan’s government had not formally confirmed Trump’s figures.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who joined Trump at the rally, said Taiwan would also invest $4.4 billion in the project. Taiwan’s state-owned CPC Corp. signed a letter of intent with Alaska Gasline Development Corp. in March 2025 to purchase LNG and explore upstream investment, describing the project as a way to strengthen long-term supply security.
Reuters said CPC’s earlier discussions contemplated buying about 6 million metric tons annually. Alaska LNG is designed to export roughly 20 million tons annually, meaning Trump’s 30% figure broadly corresponds with that amount. The project has secured tentative agreements covering about 13 million tons annually, according to the report.
Taiwan’s Energy Needs Support Long-Term Demand
Taiwan’s interest reflects its dependence on imported fuel. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the island imported more than 94% of its energy needs in 2024, while natural gas supplied about 25% of primary energy consumption and 43% of electricity generation.
Glenfarne, Alaska LNG’s lead developer, plans a roughly 739-mile pipeline and targets mechanical completion in 2028, with first gas in 2029. The second phase would add liquefaction, gas treatment and related infrastructure. Reuters estimates the full project could cost roughly $44.5 billion to $54.5 billion, substantially more per unit of capacity than recent Gulf Coast LNG plants.
South Korea is also considering participation in Alaska LNG as part of broader U.S. investment discussions, although Seoul has not finalized its role.
LNG Stocks Gain From Asian Contracting
Alaska LNG itself is not publicly traded, but the announcement puts U.S. LNG exporters such as Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE:LNG) and Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG) in focus as Asian contracting demand grows. Cheniere has recently benefited from stronger global LNG conditions, while Venture Global has expanded LNG supply agreements and project financing.
Broader benchmarks that could reflect LNG and natural-gas sentiment include the S&P 500 Energy sector index, which has already surged more than 50% in 2026 amid higher energy prices.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
Recent Comments