United States Vice President Hints at Follow-Up Gas Pipeline Talks, Refrains from Mentioning South Korea at Rally

[Financial News] With United States President Donald Trump unilaterally confirming South Korea's investment in Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) ahead of next month's election, United States Vice President JD Vance has made a different statement. He appeared to backtrack, saying that the details of the investment still needed to be worked out. However, Vance expressed confidence in the feasibility of the project itself, saying demand for U.S. natural gas is strong. 
According to The National Desk (TND), Vice President Vance met with reporters at Joint Base Andrews on the 5th (local time), before boarding a plane bound for Alaska. Regarding the Alaska gas pipeline project, he said, "The pipeline is a project we really want to see get done, and many of our Asian allies want to see it get done as well." He added, "Not only South Korea but also Japan very much wants this pipeline to be built. Many East Asian economies struggling with higher natural gas prices want more U.S. gas supplied to their economies." Vance noted, "Therefore, I think this project will happen. Of course, some details still need to be worked out, and the South Korean side has also stated its position on this." He stated, "But there is demand for this energy, and because demand for U.S. natural gas is actually very strong, I think we will be able to supply it."
In an announcement on the 30th of last month, President Trump claimed that South Korea would invest $54 billion, or approximately 72 trillion won, in the Alaska LNG Project, including the construction of a gas pipeline, as part of the $200 billion, or approximately 268 trillion won, in investments South Korea had previously promised. On the 1st, the South Korean government said that the investment had not yet been finalized. The following day, President Trump said his LNG announcement was "not premature" and threatened to raise the amount "twofold" if South Korea did not want to invest, signaling a possible increase in tariffs.
Officials in the Trump administration had previously taken an ambiguous stance, contrary to the president's assurances. Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the United States Department of State, told reporters on the 2nd that the Alaska LNG Project "would be a genuine 'win-win' for the people of the United States and South Korea if it comes to fruition." In response to remarks that the two sides had issued different announcements, he said, "What I want to emphasize is the positive aspect of this matter, and that is the important story here," adding, "What is important is the fact that we reached an agreement on investment in the United States."
Vice President Vance arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska, on the 5th and campaigned for the midterm elections with Republican figures. Dan Sullivan, the senator representing the local area, and Mike Dunleavy, the governor of Alaska, who appeared alongside Vance at the rally, both mentioned the LNG project but remained silent on whether South Korea would invest. Vance also did not mention South Korea that day and said that people should be wary of "rogue states" such as North Korea in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. Dunleavy also claimed that if the Democratic Party won the election, the gas pipeline project would "come to an abrupt halt."
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