Europe warns against relying on US gas after Trump's threats
Amid escalating transatlantic geopolitical tensions, European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen has issued stark warnings against the EU's over-reliance on the United States for its liquefied natural gas (LNG) needs. These remarks come at a critical juncture in EU-US relations, particularly following recent threats from US President Donald Trump, which have raised serious concerns in Brussels about the future of energy security in Europe.
Historical background: From Russian dependence to American hegemony
To understand the depth of current European concerns, it is necessary to return to the recent historical context. For decades, Europe lived at the mercy of Russian gas supplies, which formed the backbone of the continent's industry and heating. With the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the European Union was forced to make painful and swift decisions to break this dependence, turning to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a strategic alternative. Amid this crisis, the United States emerged as a lifeline, with American gas imports surging to account for nearly 60% of the EU's total supplies last year.
However, Jorgensen believes this shift carries strategic risks no less serious than its predecessor. "While we are succeeding in reducing our imports from Russia, there are growing legitimate concerns that we are simply replacing one dependency with another," Jorgensen told reporters in Brussels, adding that European energy security should not remain hostage to the whims of domestic politics in Washington.
The Greenland crisis and its impact on the alliance
These warnings came against the backdrop of the geopolitical turmoil that followed what became known as the Greenland crisis. President Trump's threats to forcibly seize the Danish-controlled island and impose tariffs on dissenting nations like France and Germany shook the foundations of the Western alliance. Although Trump recently backed down from these threats after weeks of escalation, the incident served as a wake-up call for European leaders, highlighting the fragility of relying entirely on a single ally.
Searching for strategic balance and alternatives
Jørgensen, who previously served as Denmark's energy minister, confirmed that Brussels has already begun implementing plans to diversify energy sources to ensure European decision-making independence. Options under consideration include strengthening partnerships with Canada and Qatar, as well as North African countries with promising gas export infrastructure. The European Commissioner announced his intention to conduct a series of meetings and diplomatic visits in the coming months to bolster these relationships.
Economic challenges and existing agreements
European efforts to diversify face complex economic and political challenges. The European Union is committed to a massive agreement signed last year to purchase $750 billion worth of energy supplies from the United States over three years. Any move to diversify energy sources could anger the current US administration and lead to trade disputes that neither side desires, as Jorgensen emphasized: "We don't want trade disputes, and the intention is not to reduce trade, but to secure the future.".
This complex scenario presents Europe with a real test of the concept of "strategic independence," as it must balance maintaining its historic alliance with Washington with the need to protect its national security from any potential future political upheavals.
