BRUSSELS — One of Europe’s largest energy companies has signed a multidecade agreement to buy American natural gas, as U.S. President Donald Trump calls on the continent to boost imports to avoid hard-hitting tariffs.
In a statement shared with POLITICO, Italian firm ENI and Virginia-headquartered exporter Venture Global confirmed they had penned a 20-year deal to ship 2 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year. The announcement marks the first long-term contract signed between ENI and a U.S. gas producer.
“This deal marks a significant milestone for the company and is further recognition of our growing global energy leadership and strong record of execution,” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global.
Trump has consistently cited LNG as an opportunity to avoid a worsening trade war with Washington. “I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way,” he said in December.
