May. 14 at 6:39 PM
$VG
China is resuming direct purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time since early 2025, with vessels departing Louisiana for China in May 2026 expected to arrive by mid-to-late June. This shift follows a near-total halt in direct shipments during the trade dispute and comes as leaders meet to discuss bolstering energy ties, notes Reuters. [1, 2, 3]
Key Developments:
Resumed Shipments: Three vessels carrying US LNG left Louisiana in early May 2026, targeting arrival in China by late June.
Trade Context: These are the first direct shipments since February 2025. While China previously paused direct buying, some US LNG was still moved through intermediaries, often re-sold to Europe.
Motivations: The resumption is heavily driven by the need to secure energy amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has pressured China to diversify its supply routes.
Upcoming Talks: The energy pivot coincides with the May 14–15,
