The expert spoke about the impact of US duties on the LNG market

New US duties on Chinese vessels could hit American exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Igbal Guliyev, Deputy Director of the MGIMO International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy, Doctor of Economics, told Izvestia on April 28.

"These fees, which are directed against Chinese—made or Chinese-owned vessels, ultimately harm American LNG companies themselves," the expert noted.

According to him, Washington is trying to reduce dependence on Chinese shipbuilding and stimulate its own production.

"[US President] Donald Trump wants to weaken China's dominance in shipping and boost demand for American vessels. However, US shipyards are already overloaded with orders and will not be able to meet the industry's needs for LNG tankers in the next five years," the expert explained.

The situation is aggravated by the shortage of available vessels for transportation.

"The United States simply does not have enough tankers to export its LNG volumes. Exporters are sounding the alarm — the largest market players have already sent appeals to the White House demanding a review of this policy," he added.

The expert noted contradictions in Trump's energy strategy. On the one hand, the administration actively supports the policy of energy dominance with the slogan "storms, baby, storms." On the other hand, low oil prices and new duties have a negative impact on the shale industry, and now on the liquefied natural gas sector. Losses can amount to tens of billions of dollars annually.

"Ultimately, these measures are part of the trade war with China. But their consequences for the American LNG market may turn out to be much more serious than expected," Guliyev summed up.

Accept supplies: Hungary and Slovakia will be able to continue oil purchases from the Russian Federation

Brussels is preparing a plan to abandon Russian energy supplies, but is forced to make concessions.

Earlier, on March 17, Igor Yushkov, an expert and lecturer at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, predicted an increase in gas prices in Europe in an interview with Izvestia in the event of abandonment of Russian LNG. According to him, in order to replace Russian gas, Europe will have to reorient supplies from Qatar, which is currently sending its fuel to Asia.