Commissioner Jørgensen: Concerns are growing in the EU over dependence on US gas

Concerns are growing in the European Union that it could become too dependent on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. They have been prompted by US President Donald Trump’s threats to allies over Greenland, which have highlighted the risks of geopolitical instability. European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told reporters today.

As the EU significantly cuts energy imports from Russia, concerns are growing about the risk of one dependency being replaced by another, Jørgensen said, adding that he shares these concerns. Brussels is therefore looking for alternatives, such as Canada, Qatar and countries in North Africa, which could increase supplies to the bloc, he said.

“Geopolitical unrest over the Greenland crisis was a warning sign,” Jørgensen, a former Danish energy minister, said, according to AFP.

“In the coming months, I will hold several meetings with many relevant countries and also make several visits to these countries, with the aim of improving our relations.” He noted, however, that the EU has no plans to restrict trade with the US and does not want trade conflicts.

Europe nevertheless risks angering Trump if it now tries to diversify its sources away from the US. Pledges to buy huge quantities of fossil fuels were an important part of the trade deal concluded between the two sides last year. Under the deal, the EU’s 27 member states said their companies intended to buy USD 750 billion (CZK 15.3 trillion) worth of energy from the US over the next three years.

According to data from 2024, Norway was the EU’s main gas supplier, with a 33 percent share. Russia was second, with a 19 percent share, and the United States third, with 16.5 percent. The EU imported almost 273 billion cubic metres of gas in total, of which LNG accounted for 100 billion cubic metres. The US accounted for almost 45 percent of LNG imports the year before last. Last year, the US share of LNG imports rose to 60 percent, AFP reported.

Trump triggered a geopolitical crisis between transatlantic allies this month when he threatened to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. He later backed away from his plan.