Taipei: A top Taiwanese official has visited the site of a major new liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Alaska, highlighting growing energy cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. The visit comes as the Trump administration promotes the Alaska LNG project as a strategic supply option for allies across Asia.
Pan Men-an, secretary-general to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, confirmed the visit in a Facebook post, stating he had traveled to Alaska to attend an energy conference at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. During the trip, he also toured Alaska’s resource-rich North Slope, where Phase One of the LNG project is set to begin.
Energy developer Glenfarne announced earlier this week that 50 companies had formally expressed interest in contracts worth over $115 billion from the Alaska LNG initiative. The project has been described as a centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s energy diplomacy strategy.
“Despite the freezing temperatures, we talked enthusiastically about building resilience and responsibility as democratic partners in the face of global climate change and the challenges of authoritarianism,” Pan wrote. He added, “In the face of trade challenges and international turbulence, we have no choice but to rise to the occasion.” He did not specify whether any agreements were signed during the visit.
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Taiwan’s Presidential Office later confirmed that Pan was joined by Fang Jeng-zen, chairman of Taiwan’s state-run energy firm CPC Corporation. CPC had earlier signed a non-binding agreement in March to purchase LNG from the project and invest in it — a step Taiwanese President Lai said was crucial for ensuring the island’s long-term energy security.
If completed, the Alaska LNG project is expected to export up to 20 million metric tons of LNG annually. Its strategic location would allow U.S. exports to reach Asian markets directly, bypassing the Panama Canal and the Horn of Africa — significantly cutting transit time and shipping costs.
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Taiwan has also pledged to ramp up imports from the United States, including energy resources, as part of efforts to address its trade surplus with Washington.
