Trump Threatens to Cut Off EU's American LNG Supplies

US Ambassador warns Brussels must ratify trade deal or lose favorable energy terms

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:23am

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US President Donald Trump is threatening to cut off American liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to the European Union if Brussels refuses to ratify a trade agreement favorable to Washington. The US Ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, stated that the implementation of the energy part of the agreement would be in question if the EU demanded changes to any points of the document.

Why it matters

This move by the Trump administration is seen as an attempt to strong-arm the EU into accepting a trade deal on US terms. The threat to cut off LNG supplies could have significant economic and geopolitical ramifications for the EU, which relies on natural gas imports to meet its energy needs.

The details

Puzder told journalists from The Financial Times that the US expects the EU to ratify the American-proposed agreement intact. He warned that if Brussels began to demand changes to any parts of the document, the implementation of the energy section would be in jeopardy. According to Puzder, Washington is not abandoning cooperation with the Europeans, but its terms may become less favorable for them.

  • The trade agreement was previously signed at the White House's golf club in Scotland by its owner and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, but has not yet been ratified.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who is threatening to cut off American LNG supplies to the EU if they do not ratify a trade agreement favorable to Washington.

Andrew Puzder

The US Ambassador to the European Union who delivered the warning to Brussels about the potential loss of favorable energy terms if the trade deal is not ratified.

Ursula von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission who signed the trade agreement with Trump at the White House's golf club in Scotland.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know what will happen on energy if they don't move forward with an agreement.”

— Andrew Puzder, US Ambassador to the European Union

What’s next

The European Union must decide whether to ratify the trade agreement with the US as proposed or risk losing favorable terms for American LNG supplies.

The takeaway

This dispute over a trade deal highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and EU, with the Trump administration using energy supplies as leverage to force the EU to accept an agreement on Washington's terms. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of US-EU relations and the EU's energy security.