WATCH: US think tank warns Taiwan’s LNG deal with Qatar raises China risk
A U.S. think tank has warned that Taiwan’s 27-year LNG deal with Qatar exposes it to Chinese leverage.
Qatar and Taiwan signed a 27-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal meant to secure long-term supply, but a U.S. think tank has warned it leaves Taipei vulnerable to Chinese leverage. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) urged Taiwan to diversify sources early to avoid a strategic trap.
Taiwan’s Economic Ministry stressed that imports are already diversified, with nearly half from stable suppliers such as Australia and the United States. The ministry added that it will evaluate new contracts if they meet national needs and are competitively priced.
In a recent report, the FDD detailed results of a July war-game exercise in Taipei, which found Beijing could destabilize Taiwan without firing a shot by combining energy blockades, economic coercion, and cyberattacks. Nearly half of Taiwan’s electricity relies on natural gas, all of it imported, with limi...
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