Overview

• President Donald Trump dismissed the EU’s offer of zero tariffs on industrial goods, insisting on increased U.S. LNG purchases to address the trade imbalance.
• The EU is considering aggregating LNG demand across member states to strengthen its negotiating position in trade talks with the U.S.
• EU countries are advancing plans to lower mandatory gas storage targets, aiming to reduce costs and mitigate the economic impact of potential U.S. tariffs.
• Trump’s demands for $350 billion in U.S. energy purchases have been criticized as unrealistic, with European officials expressing frustration over stalled negotiations.
• U.S. LNG already accounts for 45% of EU imports, reflecting its critical role in Europe’s energy diversification following reduced reliance on Russian gas.