China Suspends Import of U.S. LNG Amid Evolving Trade Dynamics

In a significant shift in energy trade relations, China has officially ceased its procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States as of April 2025. This decision reflects broader geopolitical and economic considerations, potentially impacting global energy markets and bilateral trade balances. Analysts suggest this move could signal a strategic realignment in China’s energy sourcing strategy, with implications for LNG pricing and supply chains worldwide.

Beijing is meanwhile turning to Moscow 

In the short term, few expect trade to resume. “The last time this happened, there was a complete hiatus until the Chinese authorities granted waivers to companies, but that was at a time when gas demand was booming,” said Gillian Boccara, an analyst at Kpler. “Now we are looking at lower economic growth, and we think the Chinese can withstand the loss of these cargoes for quite a long time.”

China’s ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, said this week that Chinese buyers were eager to raise purchases of Russian LNG. “So many buyers are asking the embassy to help establish contacts with Russian suppliers, I think there will definitely be more [imports],” Zhang told reporters.

Russia is already China’s third‑largest LNG supplier, behind Australia and Qatar, and the two governments are negotiating a second cross‑border gas pipeline, Power of Siberia 2.

“With tariffs rising to the level where they are an effective embargo, we will see a reshuffling of trade flows,” said Richard Bronze of consultancy Energy Aspects. 

“We also expect Asia demand to fall by five to ten million tonnes as a whole. That should bring gas prices down a bit in Europe.”

For now, the empty arrival logs at Chinese ports underline the practical impact of tariffs that turned U.S. LNG from a growth trade into a stranded cargo, while giving Russia another opening in Asia’s largest gas market.

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