Trump: Japan and South Korea are interested in partnering with the US on Alaska pipeline

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that Japan, South Korea, and other countries are interested in investing "trillions" of dollars in Alaska to build a "gigantic natural gas pipeline."

In an address to Congress, Trump stated that this pipeline would be the largest of its kind in the world.

He said that Japan, South Korea, and other nations wanted to be his partners, with trillions of dollars in investments each.

On Tuesday, Ahn Duk Geun, South Korea’s Minister of Industry said that the United States asked South Korea and some other countries whether they were interested in taking part in the Alaskan project to liquefy natural gas.

He claimed that Seoul and Washington agreed.

Establish a group of working level to discuss the pipeline

Tariffs, non-tariff and tariff barriers, shipbuilding.

Anh made his comments after visiting Washington, D.C. last month to seek exemptions from Trump tariffs which are expected to have a devastating impact on South Korea's export dependent economy.

Yonhap News Agency reported that during the trip Ahn expressed South Korean interest to join the $44 billion Alaska Gas Project in partnership with Japan and the U.S.

Doug Burgum, co-chairman of the White House National Energy Dominance Council, said on Sunday that the 800-mile LNG gas pipe would allow the United States sell energy to their allies and "raise funds for the U.S. Treasury." Treasury."

Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are also facing challenges with the Alaska LNG project.

The idea of increasing U.S. imports of gas is gaining traction

According to those familiar with the conversation, Japanese officials did not confirm that they would participate in the pipeline project but agreed to investigate the issue.

The Japanese trade minister is planning to visit Washington in the next few weeks to discuss Japan's plans for more U.S. LNG and to request exemptions from Trump tariffs. (Reporting and additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Kanishka Singh and Muralikumar Aantharaman; editing by Muralikumar Aantharaman and Deepababington)

(source: Reuters)