President Donald Trump has renewed efforts to advance a long-delayed natural gas pipeline in Alaska, seeking investment from Asian allies. The LNG pipeline project has faced challenges for decades, but Trump’s direct involvement has changed the conversation.
During his address to Congress, he highlighted the initiative, emphasizing interest from Japan, South Korea, and other nations. His administration has held ongoing discussions to secure investment and export agreements, aiming to make the project a reality.
Japan already has a large amount of foreign direct investment in the United States, approaching its annual budget. Trump personally pushed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to support the project, securing a commitment to increase energy cooperation; Ishiba promised to increase Japanese investments in the US. Still, he has not specified the amount of the Alaska LNG pipeline project.
The administration has also engaged South Korea and the Philippines, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. planning discussions with Trump about importing LNG from Alaska. Meanwhile, Senator Dan Sullivan revealed that Taiwan has also expressed interest in the project.
Sullivan also described the current level of international engagement as unprecedented, with daily high-level talks advancing progress. To solidify support, Trump issued an executive order on January 20th, making it official US policy to prioritize Alaska LNG development.
The order mandates expanding LNG exports from Alaska to domestic and Pacific region markets, reinforcing the project’s strategic importance. Alaska’s energy potential has gained traction with the state-run Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and private firm Glenfarne backing the pipeline.
Glenfarne has proposed two LNG plants in the US but has yet to launch either. Trump sees the pipeline as a crucial step toward strengthening US trade while reducing dependence on Middle Eastern gas supplies.
The project’s shorter shipping routes to Asia and ability to bypass Panama Canal delays make it attractive. For Alaska, it promises economic growth and a solution to declining natural gas production in Cook Inlet. With Trump’s backing, supporters believe momentum is finally shifting in favor of getting the pipeline built.
