TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan officials will attend US meetings in June to discuss projects including the Alaska LNG pipeline, the economics ministry said. 

As Asian trading partners expressed willingness to increase investments, the US invited Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean officials to discuss projects in Alaska and the Arctic, per Reuters. Two sources said US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will lead the discussion on June 2.

The Alaska LNG pipeline, with a proposed NT$1.45 trillion (US$44 billion) price tag, would cover 1,300 km in the state’s North Slope. Trump has been pushing Asian nations to invest in the delayed project, with the LNG to be shipped and sold to Asian markets. 

In March, Taiwan’s state-owned Chinese Petroleum Corp. signed a non-binding agreement with Alaska Gasline Development Corp. to invest in the extraction project and purchase LNG. CPC said its investment depends on Taiwan's demand for natural gas, and its equity stake will be tied to the amount of gas Taiwan intends to purchase.

Taiwan is still in discussions about participating in the project. Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) said that investments would be capped at 50%.

Taiwan's total LNG import volume reached 21 billion kg last year. It currently imports 10% of its natural gas from the US and plans to increase this share to 20-30%. 

Trump has pushed Asian partners to buy more US energy while threatening tariffs. He claimed Japan and South Korea want to invest “trillions” in the Alaska LNG project.

However, Japan and South Korea have not confirmed their participation in the Alaska meeting. South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun said that timing was tough, as South Korea’s presidential election approaches on June 3. Likewise, Japanese trade minister Muto Yoji may not be able to attend given parliamentary obligations, one Japanese source said.