The European Commission has expressed readiness to engage in discussions with the United States regarding an increase in liquid natural gas (LNG) purchases.

This statement was made on Tuesday by Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a spokesperson for the Commission, following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump urging the EU to buy more American LNG.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously indicated interest in sourcing more LNG from the U.S. to reduce dependency on Russian imports during a summit in Budapest last November.

While the European Commission has no existing LNG purchase agreements, discussions have taken place with the prior U.S. administration, noted Itkonen.

The Commission plans to initiate contact with the new U.S. leadership.

At present, no meetings have been scheduled between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen or High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and the newly elected U.S. administration.

President Trump has issued several executive orders at the commencement of his presidency.

Although he has not imposed tariffs on the EU, he has exited the U.S. from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global minimum tax agreement.

Paula Pinho, the Commission's Lead Spokesperson, expressed regret over the latter, while Health Spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová voiced concerns about the WHO withdrawal, advising the U.S. to reconsider.

Analysts are assessing whether the financial shortfall created by the U.S. exit from WHO funding would impose additional burdens on the EU. The Commission did not comment on tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's participation in Trump's inauguration.

The impact of President Trump's tenure on the EU was also deliberated in the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Adam Szlapka, representing Poland's rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, emphasized the mutual interest in strengthening transatlantic relations.

He highlighted that Russia's war in Ukraine poses a threat to global order, making it crucial to continue supporting Ukraine.

While supporting Trump’s goal of ending the war, Szlapka stressed the need for a fair and lasting peace that includes Ukraine's interests.

The EU and the U.S. are each other's largest trading partners, underscoring the need to reinforce bilateral relations.

The EU is prepared for dialogue concerning energy matters, having already started to replace Russian energy sources with American ones.

Currently, the U.S. is the largest supplier of LNG to the EU. However, the EU is committed to protecting its economic interests and preserving democratic values, with plans to increase defense investments.

European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič reiterated the importance of the transatlantic alliance, emphasizing the unchanged nature of these values.

The EU continues to support a multilateral, rule-based order and will maintain support for Ukraine.

Šefčovič highlighted the economic interdependence between the EU and the U.S., stating the need for pragmatic cooperation, while warning of the EU's readiness to defend its interests.

He expressed regret over the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

Members of the European Parliament underscored the significance of cooperation.

Hungarian MEP Schaller-Baross Ernő criticized past EU actions as alienating, urging collaboration with the U.S. Meanwhile, Lakos Eszter from Hungary pointed out shared interests in defense industry developments, cybersecurity, and new technologies, asserting that cooperation could ensure affordable energy for Europeans.

Lakos warned that a trade war could strengthen global competitors.

Cover Image: Laurie Dieffembacq / European Parliament / European Union