U.S. LNG exports surge to record high before Iran conflict erupted
¬ UK media: EU fears energy crisis could turn into financial crisis
¬ Russian presidential envoy: EU faces difficult times after abandoning Russian energy
Russian Satellite News calculated data from the U.S. National Statistics Bureau, revealing that in February this year—prior to the outbreak of the Middle East conflict—U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports surged to $5.5 billion, setting a new record.
Data shows that U.S. LNG exports reached $5.5 billion in February, up from $4.4 billion the previous month, marking a quarter increase—the highest monthly rise ever recorded. The agency has been collecting such data since 2002.
The top five U.S. LNG buyers in February were the United Kingdom (10.6% of total), the Netherlands (10.1%), Egypt (9.8%), Spain (8.4%), and Germany (7.6%).
On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched multiple strikes on targets inside Iran, including attacks on Tehran, causing destruction and civilian casualties.
In response, Iran carried out retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli territory and U.S. military targets in the Middle East. The escalation of the Middle East conflict led to the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, reduced oil production in several Middle Eastern countries, and a sharp spike in energy prices in March.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for Gulf states exporting oil and LNG to global markets, through which about 20% of the world’s oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas pass.
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Russian Satellite News, Moscow, April 6 — According to EU officials cited by the UK’s Financial Times, the EU fears the energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict could evolve into a financial crisis.
On February 28, the U.S. and Israel conducted multiple strikes on targets inside Iran, including attacks on Tehran, resulting in damage and civilian casualties. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli territory and U.S. military installations in the Middle East. The escalation led to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, reduced oil output in some Middle Eastern nations, and soaring energy prices.
Reports indicate that EU officials have warned member governments that the energy shock caused by the Iran conflict might escalate into a fiscal crisis.
According to sources quoted by the newspaper, the European Commission has urged member states to limit energy subsidies, tax reductions, and other preferential policies to avoid a recurrence of the 2022 energy crisis.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told the Financial Times that problems in one economic sector may affect society as a whole. He believes the Iran conflict will likely trigger rising inflation, leading to a series of consequences. Jørgensen emphasized that support measures should be short-term; otherwise, they risk halting production.
The report stresses that EU officials fear the Middle East conflict could trigger the third financial crisis in six years for the EU.
The article notes that the two previous crises occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2022.
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Russian Satellite News, Moscow, April 6 — Dmitryev, President of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Russia’s special presidential envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, believes the EU will face extremely difficult times due to abandoning Russian energy.
Dmitryev wrote on social platform X: "The EU's decision to abandon Russian energy and other poorly thought-out ideological choices foreshadow an extremely challenging period ahead."
Previously, experts interviewed by the U.S. Wall Street Journal had stated that the oil crisis impacting Asia would also inflict heavy blows on Europe. Dmitryev made these comments in response.
In another post, he added: "Asia acts with greater wisdom and care for its people," referring to new energy agreements between Russia and Asian nations, "while the EU and the UK are accelerating their ideological self-destruction."
Dmitryev further wrote: "Europe’s warmongers are already 10 years late in diversifying their energy supply, and a month late in acknowledging the greatest energy crisis in history. They should ask themselves only one question: Why do they stubbornly push toward a disastrous path leading to the self-destruction of the EU and the UK? Repent!"
The escalation of the Middle East conflict has nearly halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—the vital route for oil and gas supplies from Persian Gulf countries—leading to significant increases in energy prices worldwide.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861711435772928/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone