Trump says he did not ’jump the gun’ on South Korea Alaska LNG investment announcement

On September 30, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced that he did not prematurely disclose details regarding a South Korean investment in Alaska LNG. The project, which involves a $200 billion investment by South Korea in US infrastructure, has been under consideration for a long time but lacks binding commitments. South Korea initially hinted that a $54 billion pipeline for the Alaska LNG project was not yet set in stone.

During a press conference at the White House, Trump stated, "I didn't jump the gun. I mean, they were there and they were represented. And let's see, if they don't want to do it, that's okay with me. I'll just charge them more." He also mentioned the US trade deal with South Korea, which includes $8.4 billion for a project aimed at extracting crude from an aging oilfield.

However, a Seoul-based industry ministry official expressed surprise at Trump's claim, stating that the agreement outlined in a joint fact sheet released in November 2025 only covered commitments made previously. The official pointed out that the agreement does not encompass the details of the latest announcement.

The Alaska LNG project is a significant undertaking, with a projected cost exceeding $54 billion. It entails constructing an 800-mile pipeline from the North Slope to an LNG liquefaction facility in Alaska's southern port of Nikiski. The investment by South Korea would also include the construction of eight large nuclear power plants, a natural gas pipeline, and a 6-gigawatt power plant in Texas.

This announcement marked the start of a series of major projects under a broader $350 billion strategic investment package that South Korea committed to during a trade agreement with the United States in the previous year.