Trump: "If Korea Doesn't Invest in Alaska, I'll Charge It Double"... Hints at Tariff Retaliation

[Financial News]  

U.S. President Donald Trump responded with threats to South Korea's objection to his unilateral announcement of investment in the U.S. oil industry.
Speaking to reporters at the White House that day, President Trump threatened that the bill would double if South Korea did not follow through on his announcement.
When asked whether South Korea had finalized its investment in the Alaska LNG project, Trump said, "I did not make the announcement prematurely," and warned that South Korea would have to bear higher costs if it did not invest. He emphasized, "If they don't want to, that's fine with me. I can just charge them more."
He then asked the reporter who posed the question, "Are you saying they have not reached an agreement?" He added, "Tell them that if they do not reach an agreement soon, I will double (the amount billed)."
Trump did not specify what he intended to charge, but if South Korea does not participate in the Alaska LNG project, he appears likely to present it with a bill through measures such as tariff increases.
Trump previously announced, without confirmation from Seoul, that the South Korean government would invest in the $50 billion Alaska LNG project. The South Korean government countered that the project was still under review and that it had never finalized its participation.

[email protected] Song Gyeong-jae Reporter