It’s a good public position to take, but Russian gas can sell at any price the government wants, and they have direct pipelines. USA gas must ship by tanker. It’s not serious competition for the Russians
Trump is sending Russia a message that they can’t use their pipeline to other countries as extortion. “You give me XYZ, or I’ll shut off the oil/gas to you.”
Over the past few years we have seen Russia do a number of things contrary to our interests. Selling Kornet missiles to Iraq prior to the 2003 invasion in violation of UN sanctions, helping Iran's nuclear program, invasion of Georgia, invasion of the Crimea, Syria, etc. The concept of selling LNG to Europe is the first move by the US in all that time which may have an effect on Russia's activities. They are very reliant on petroleum-dollars.
More to take Russia’s ability to turn off the tap for leverage out of their arsenal.
“It’s a good public position to take, but Russian gas can sell at any price the government wants, and they have direct pipelines. USA gas must ship by tanker. It’s not serious competition for the Russians”
Umm, while indeed Russia can artificially set gas prices at whatever they choose. By the US selling gas to Europe prices will be depressed thereby reducing cash flow to Russia. Cash/revenue is badly needed by Russia to fund it’s expansionist objectives. Russia is hurting and our getting into the natural gas game in Europe will hurt Russia even more.
You could not be more wrong. In a LNG war no one can now outstay the USA. Not Russia, not Qatar, no one.
Unless we can get our pipeline in under Syria.
But access to US energy is exactly what eastern European countries want to hear about. The current discussions between Russia and western Euro countries leave the eastern bloc literally out in the cold.
See Nord Stream 2.