Trump to promote US gas in Poland

US President Donald Trump plans to promote natural gas exports during his stay in Poland next week. “There are people who use supply almost as a political weapon, in threatening to cut off supply in the coldest parts of the year. Our intention is to be a force for good and make gas readily available for anyone who needs it,” said Gary Cohn, director of the White House National Economic Council. During his visit in Poland, Trump will attend the Three Seas Initiative summit which will be attended by the leaders of a number CEE and Balkan countries, with many of them importing most of its gas from Russia. The Trump administration sees growth in LNG exports as a way to reduce trade deficits with other nations and expand the economy. According to Cohn vast reserves of natural gas should satisfy the needs of both domestic and foreign users. Earlier this month, Poland received its first shipment of the US LNG bought at a spot auction. However, state-owned gas giant PGNiG, which made the purchase, said that it is not looking for a long-term contract with a US partner right now, although mid-term options might be taken into consideration. Government’s proxy for energy infrastructure, Piotr Naimski added that the US could sell the fuel in Europe at competitive prices, only if American side would cover transport costs.