China has ceased importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States following the introduction of a 15% tariff on February 10, marking another shift in Beijing’s distancing from the American economy.
Data from vessel tracking and China’s customs authority show that imports from the U.S. had already slowed significantly between November and January, ahead of the new tariff.
At the same time, China has sharply increased LNG purchases from Russia, which provided the country with four times more gas than the U.S. last year.
Only two LNG shipments from the U.S. were headed to China when the new tariffs were announced. According to Belgian energy firm Kpler, one vessel managed to arrive and unload before the tariff took effect, while the other changed course to Bangladesh to avoid the extra cost.
The shift in China’s LNG sourcing is partly driven by global price dynamics. With Europe boycotting Russian gas, Russia has been selling LNG at deeply discounted rates. Meanwhile, European buyers are paying higher prices for gas from alternative suppliers, including the U.S.
This situation has allowed Chinese firms to secure inexpensive Russian gas instead of more costly American LNG.
U.S. exports of LNG to China had climbed following a 2020 trade agreement that included a pledge by Beijing to boost purchases of American gas, though not necessarily for domestic use. However, those exports declined sharply in 2022 as U.S. gas shipments were redirected to Europe amid soaring prices and the continent’s break from Russian energy.
According to China’s customs administration, the U.S. accounted for just 3% of China’s natural gas imports in 2024.
