US and Qatar say new rules will hinder imports of LNG, posing ‘existential threat’ to European economies
The US has demanded that the European Union roll back its climate and human rights rules in order to allow greater imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as the Trump administration approved a controversial gas export hub along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
A letter jointly sent by the US and Qatar, two of the three largest LNG exporters in the world, warned the EU that its new rules pose an “existential threat” to European economies as they would hinder imports of gas from countries such as theirs.
The EU should either completely repeal or substantially cut back the new rules, known as the corporate sustainability due diligence directive, according to the letter. The directive, which is set to be debated by EU legislators in the coming week, requires gas exporters to the 27-country bloc to show they protect human rights and are cutting their planet-heating emissions, or risk hefty fines.
“Its implementation could jeopardize existing and future investments, employment, and compliance with recent trade agreements,” the letter states. “There is little debate that natural gas and LNG will remain a critical energy source and a key part of the EU’s energy mix for many decades.”
