China Bans LNG Imports from the U.S., Australia Claims $1.5B Market — Trump Loses It, Canada Turns “Betrayer”

Washington, DC — A shockwave has just rippled through the global energy market, not from an oil rig explosion or an unexpected OPEC meeting, but from a cold line on the Xinhua News screen: “China officially halts all LNG imports from the United States.”

No warning. No negotiations. Not even a tweet from Trump — at least not in the first few hours.

But this blow was enough to shake the entire global energy power structure: the U.S. loses a $2.4 billion LNG market overnight. And the replacement? No one other than Australia — a traditional ally of Washington.

“America First” Becomes “America Out” It all started in March 2025. The U.S. government, in a move to tighten the trade balance, imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. A month later, Beijing responded coldly: cutting all LNG imports from the U.S. — which had been the world’s top LNG exporter in 2024.

This move didn’t just stun U.S. businesses; it rattled the entire energy policy system in Washington. The U.S. immediately lost access to its second-largest market. LNG terminals in Texas and Louisiana became paralyzed — stockpiles filled with unsold goods, while international contracts were canceled left and right.

The market collapsed. Energy stocks tanked. And Trump, who once promised “Tariffs make America rich again,” now had to watch as revenues flowed into other hands.

Australia Signs $1.5 Billion Contract — “Right Before Our Eyes” It didn’t take China long to act. Within weeks, they rerouted all LNG import plans to Europe and signed a historic $1.5 billion 15-year deal with China Resources Gas.

The supplier? Woodside Energy, Australia.

20% cheaper. 10 days quicker to transport than U.S. gas, thanks to geographical proximity. And, more importantly — no tariffs, no political risks.

This was not just a trade deal. It was a clear geopolitical statement: “We don’t need America.”

Canada: From Ally to Rival When Trump continued to impose a 10% tariff on oil and gas imports from Canada, Ottawa’s response wasn’t to call for negotiations. They took action.

Chinese oil giant Rongsheng quickly opened an office in Calgary, signed an agreement to import crude from Suncor, and expanded negotiations with Shell, BP, and ConocoPhillips. And thanks to the newly completed Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline, Canada can now export oil directly to the Pacific without passing through U.S. territory.

The power game has officially changed.

LNG Canada: The Second Wave Not stopping at crude oil, Canada is also preparing to export LNG directly through the LNG Canada project in British Columbia. Backed by Shell, Petronas, and Mitsubishi, they’re set to become a new LNG supplier for Asia — competing directly with the U.S., but without relying on it.

The Trudeau government isn’t just watching. They’ve injected CAD 6.5 billion to help businesses reach international markets. And Canadian companies haven’t hesitated for a second.

Trump Stays Silent, the Market Speaks As the U.S. gas market tanks, the stock market turns red, and financial news outlets start mentioning “recession,” Trump still insists: “Tariffs are a beautiful word.”

Jon Stewart and Josh Johnson didn’t let it go. They mocked the instability and contradictions in U.S. trade policies: “One day tariffs are on, the next day they’re off. The third day? Nobody knows!”

Meanwhile, Europe benefits from cheaper Asian LNG. China controls the energy flow. Australia dominates the new market. And Canada opens the door to global markets.

A New Game, New Rules This is no longer a race for price. It’s a geopolitical battle — where whoever controls energy controls influence.

And in this game, the U.S. is no longer at the center.

Don’t blink. Canada is rising as a global competitor. As for the U.S.? They may have just kicked themselves off the board.