Japan may join a U.S. liquefied natural gas project in Alaska, President Donald Trump said Tuesday, though Japanese officials and companies said they had no knowledge of a confirmed deal.
Trump made the remarks during a meeting with lawmakers at the White House while discussing his trade agreement with Japan. He said Japan is set to form a joint venture on an LNG project in Alaska.
“They’re all set to make that deal now,” Trump said, without giving further details.
It was not clear if Trump was referring to the proposed $44 billion Alaska LNG project. The plan includes an 800-mile pipeline to carry gas to a liquefaction plant for export.
A Japanese official from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said the agency is trying to confirm the president’s comments. Major Japanese LNG buyers, including JERA and Tokyo Gas, have shown interest in the Alaska project but said they would need more information, including on cost, before deciding.
JERA said it could not confirm a joint venture, while Tokyo Gas said it is not involved in such a project and is unfamiliar with the details.
Companies from Thailand and India have also expressed interest in buying LNG from Alaska, including PTT and GAIL.
