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President Donald Trump said on July 22 that the United States and Japan are close to a deal to jointly export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Alaska.
“[Japan is] forming a joint venture with us in Alaska for the LNG,” Trump told lawmakers in Washington. “They’re all set to make that deal now.”
Trump did not provide details, and it was unclear whether he was referring to the proposed $44 billion Alaska LNG project, which envisions an 800‑mile pipeline from the North Slope to an export terminal at Nikiski. The project, expected to reach a final investment decision in 2025, would supply Alaska’s domestic needs and a 20‑million‑ton‑per‑year export facility.
Japan’s top LNG buyers, JERA and Tokyo Gas, have expressed interest but stated that they must review costs and other conditions before deciding. Neither company has confirmed involvement in the venture Trump described. The Epoch Times has asked the White House whether the joint venture refers to the Alaska LNG project.
Trump’s comments came as he announced a trade deal with Japan that lowers U.S. tariffs on Japanese cars and other goods and opens Japan’s market to U.S. agricultural products. The agreement includes a 15 percent reciprocal tariff on Japanese exports to the United States and a $550 billion Japanese investment commitment, which Trump said would create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Japan ran a $68.5 billion goods trade surplus with the United States in 2024 on $227.9 billion in total trade.
The Japan deal coincided with Trump’s announcement of a U.S.–Indonesia trade pact that eliminates nearly all tariffs on U.S. exports while imposing a 19 percent levy on Indonesian goods. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Indonesia reached $17.9 billion in 2024, a 5.4 percent increase from a year earlier, U.S. Trade Representative’s Office figures show.
A similar agreement with the Philippines has been concluded, as the administration pushes to finalize trade deals with multiple partners before an Aug. 1 deadline. The Philippines exported $14.2 billion in goods to the United States last year, recording a $4.9 billion trade surplus.
Also on July 22, Trump said negotiations with the European Union would be held in Washington on July 23.
“We have Europe coming in tomorrow, the next day,” Trump said at the time.
Trump warned EU nations in a letter earlier this month that their goods could face 30 percent tariffs starting Aug. 1 unless a deal was reached.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said trade talks with China may extend beyond an Aug. 12 deadline, describing the relationship as “constructive” and focused on curbing overproduction and addressing sanctioned oil. Sweden will host the next round of negotiations.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on July 20 that the United States still plans to keep a 10 percent baseline tariff on smaller countries, despite earlier remarks from Trump suggesting the rate could rise to 15 percent or 20 percent.
Tom Ozimek is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times. He has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communications, and adult education.
