China maintains a 70-day halt on U.S. LNG purchases, increases Russian imports, and reshapes the global energy landscape in response to U.S. tariffs.

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China has gone over 70 days without importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, according to Kpler data cited by the Financial Times. This move is a response to Beijing’s imposition of 49% tariffs, making U.S. LNG commercially unviable. The last shipment arrived on February 6, while a second vessel was diverted to Bangladesh to avoid the tariffs.

Although the U.S. supplies only 5-6% of China’s LNG (5-6 million tons in 2025), the halt affects 13 contracts valid through 2049 and threatens 28 million tons per year in U.S. projects. Experts like Anne-Sophie Corbeau (Columbia University) predict that China will avoid new contracts with the U.S., prioritizing energy autonomy.

China to totally import gas from Russia after it completely halts all purchase of the US liquefied gas pic.twitter.com/cFE8hhABWp

— BRICS Countries (@BRICSCountries) April 18, 2025

Russia Strengthens Its Role as a Key Alternative

Beijing has quadrupled its imports of Russian LNG since 2022, making Moscow its third-largest supplier after Australia and Qatar. Ambassador Zhang Hanhui confirmed that Chinese companies are seeking to expand agreements with Russia, taking advantage of lower prices following European sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

China redirects 70% of imported U.S. LNG to Europe, profiting in higher-priced markets. This maneuver demonstrates China’s ability to reshape global energy flows, while the U.S. faces risks in key projects and a reciprocal tariff escalation (up to 245% in some sectors).

The crisis highlights the urgent need for energy sovereignty and South-South alliances. For Latin American, the conflict exposes the risks of dependency on global powers and the necessity of autonomous models in the face of U.S. unilateralism.

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