Taiwan Agrees to Buy Gas and Invest Billions in Alaska Pipeline Project

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Taiwan has agreed to purchase 30 percent of the gas from Alaska's upcoming natural gas pipeline for a period of 20 years. Mr. Trump made this announcement during a rally in Wasilla, Alaska on October 13, 2026. He stated that Taiwan will also invest $4.4 billion into the pipeline project.

Background

This move comes as Taipei looks to secure Washington's support amidst ongoing tensions with China, which claims the self-ruled island as its territory. Taiwan currently imports nearly all of its energy, with official data showing that about 38 percent of its natural gas comes from Australia, 25 percent from Qatar, and under 10 percent from the United States. Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs previously stated in March 2025 that state-owned CPC Corporation planned to buy liquefied natural gas and seek upstream investment rights to secure stable future energy supplies.

Project Details

The planned pipeline will span 1,300 kilometres, or 800 miles, to transport natural gas from northern Alaska to the south for conversion into liquefied natural gas. The project is backed by U.S. group Glenfarne and the state of Alaska, but it still faces technical hurdles and high costs that previously slowed its progress. Officials do not expect the pipeline to start working before 2030, though Mr. Trump claimed the new agreement guarantees its success. Once finished, tankers will ship the gas across the Pacific Ocean to Asia in seven to nine days.

Context

Large energy infrastructure projects often rely on long-term purchase agreements with foreign buyers to secure the massive funding needed for construction. In this case, connecting Alaska's northern gas reserves to Asian markets provides a steady export channel while helping resource-importing regions diversify their energy sources.