Global liquefied natural gas trade hit a record last year ​as strong U.S. exports

and rising European imports offset weaker ‌Asian purchases, the

International Gas Union said in a ​report on Wednesday.Conflict in the Middle East ⁠could lead to a contraction in

2026, however, it warned."The conflict in the Gulf has damaged LNG infrastructure,

clouded the outlook for ‌the region's expansion projects, and