President Trump Threatens South Korea Over Alaska LNG Project Timeline
U.S. President Donald Trump said he “didn’t jump the gun” in announcing South Korea’s participation in a $50 billion Alaska LNG project, warning Seoul could pay “double” if it does not sign on soon. The joint announcement was made on September 30, 2026, in the Oval Office of the White House alongside Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Senator Daniel S. Sullivan, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. The remarks highlight a growing discrepancy between Washington and Seoul regarding planned energy investments that South Korea states are not yet finalized.
Trump threatens South Korea over infrastructure agreements
President Trump addressed reporters on Friday regarding the timeline of the infrastructure agreements. “If they don’t want to do it, that’s OK with me. I’ll just charge them more,” Trump told reporters, according to White House statements. “Tell them if they don’t sign shortly, I’m going to double it up.” While Trump did not specify what would be doubled, South Korea’s local media raised the possibility that the threat referred to higher tariffs on the country.
The warnings follow official statements from Seoul indicating that South Korea remains in the process of assessing the Alaska LNG project. Government officials in Seoul maintain that any formal participation depends on commercial viability and strict compliance with domestic legal procedures.
Seoul verifies new oil recovery project announcement
On Friday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that South Korea’s investment deal “keeps getting BETTER,” adding an announcement for an $8.4 billion enhanced oil recovery project. Enhanced oil recovery relies on techniques such as carbon dioxide injection to increase crude oil production yields from an oil field.
South Korean local media reported that this oil recovery project was absent from the agreements negotiated between Seoul and Washington, citing the country’s industry ministry. The ministry launched efforts to verify the new announcement and contacted the U.S. through official trade channels to seek clarification on the expanded scope.
What projects are included in energy discussions?
What specific projects are included in the U.S.-South Korea energy discussions?
The discussions center on a major $54 billion investment package that includes the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project and an additional $8.4 billion enhanced oil recovery project announced by President Trump on Truth Social.
Why is there a disagreement between Washington and Seoul?
President Trump announced South Korea’s participation in the energy projects before Seoul finalized the agreements. South Korean officials state they are still assessing the commercial viability and domestic legal requirements of the Alaska LNG project.
What consequences did President Trump outline for delays?
President Trump warned that if South Korea does not sign on to the projects shortly, he will “double it up,” which South Korean local media reports suggest could involve higher trade tariffs.
Who attended the initial White House announcement?
The September 30, 2026 Oval Office announcement included President Donald Trump, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Senator Daniel S. Sullivan, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
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