- Trump said if South Korea does not sign on to the $50 billion Alaska LNG project he will charge them more or “double it up,” without specifying what would be doubled.
- South Korea has said it is still assessing the Alaska project, with participation dependent on commercial viability and compliance with domestic legal procedures.
- Trump also announced an $8.4 billion oil recovery project that South Korean local media reported was not part of the countries’ agreement, citing Seoul’s industry ministry.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he “didn’t jump the gun” in announcing South Korea’s participation in a $50 billion Alaska LNG project, warning Seoul could pay “double” if it does not sign on soon.
His remarks come amid a discrepancy between Washington and Seoul over South Korea’s planned energy and infrastructure investments in the U.S., with Trump announcing projects that Seoul has said are not yet finalized.
“If they don’t want to do it, that’s OK with me. I’ll just charge them more,” Trump told reporters Friday, according to the White House. “Tell them if they don’t sign shortly, I’m going to double it up.”
Trump did not specify what would be doubled. South Korean local media, though, raised the possibility that he was referring to higher tariffs on the country.
When asked whether he had prematurely announced South Korea’s involvement in the Alaska LNG project, Trump said he “didn’t jump the gun.”
Trump’s remarks come after South Korea said it was still assessing the Alaska LNG project, with any participation dependent on its commercial viability and compliance with domestic legal procedures.
Separately, Trump said on Truth Social Friday that South Korea’s investment deal “keeps getting BETTER,” announcing an additional $8.4 billion enhanced oil recovery project.
Enhanced oil recovery uses techniques such as carbon dioxide injection to increase the amount of crude oil produced from an oil field.
South Korean local media further reported that the oil recovery project was not included in the agreements reached between Seoul and Washington, citing the country’s industry ministry. The ministry was seeking to verify Trump’s announcement and had contacted the U.S. through trade channels for clarification, according to the report.
