Merkel Changes Course on U.S. Gas Imports?

Chancellor Angela Merkel has offered government support to efforts to open up Germany to U.S. gas, a key concession to President Trump as he tries to loosen Russia’s grip on Europe’s largest energy market:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-win-for-trump-merkel-changes-course-on-u-s-gas-imports-1540209647
What is behind this? US gas is more expensive than the one delivered from Russia. Why to pay government money to build up gas terminal, that will be unlikely used in future as analysts say?

 

"Chancellor calls her decision to open Germany up to U.S. liquefied natural gas a ‘strategic’ move"

Hint, hint.

 

Well, I see what exactly Merkel does good for the US, but it is not clear what will Trump do good for Germany? Strategic move... is a bit a vague thing.

 

I guess to pacify Trump and show that they are diversifying. There could be a secret reason though, after all Russia has LNG gas as well and it is cheaper. Maybe Germany wants it as security in case Poland or Ukraine decides to blow up their pipeline. I wouldn't put it past them. They tried to destroy it before.

I'm just guessing here.

 

What's funny here, is that two shipments came to the US with LNG gas from Russia. They're probably reselling it to Poland as American gas and making a profit.

Lord, what fools these mortals be - William Shakespeare

 

Ooooor, more likely, Russia uses its ability as sole provider to force concessions from Germany. The terminal prevents this sort of monopoly.

 

"
Companies from the US will start delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany within the next four years, US deputy energy secretary, Dan Brouillette, told German newspaper Bild on Monday. "US liquefied natural gas is coming to Germany. The question is not if, but when," Brouillette said.

American LNG would cost more than existing gas supplies from the Netherlands and Russia, but the entry of US suppliers onto the German market would set a price ceiling for Russian state-run export monopoly Gazprom, Brouillette went on. "Because US LNG is here, Gazprom cannot demand whatever it wants," he added."
https://www.dw.com/en/us-sees-gas-exports-to-germany-by-2022/a-45516432

Smart move.

 

As much as I hate to accuse Merkel of doing anything smart,
maybe this is a smart move.
More diverse the suppliers, the less likely to face a crippling "shut off".

Y'think?

This is about "national" security of Germany.
does this make Merkel a nationalist?



Moi

​

 

Russia isn't the sole provider of natural gas to Germany. Russia, Netherlands, Norway, in that order, are the providers that Germany buys gas from, all in all one quarter of all the energy consumed is made up of natural gas. In the late 80s (West-) Germany imported more natural gas from the Soviet Union than today (from Russia).
https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland...-Deutschland-wirklich-von-russischem-Gas.html

According to this article, the terminal could be ready to use in probably five years from now. In the long run, LNG (liquefied natural gas) could make up 15% of all gas imports. This, however, doesn't automatically mean it's going to be US-gas only since, atm, it's around 20% more expensive.
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/arti...erkel-kommt-Trump-im-Gas-Streit-entgegen.html

 

Merkel does not deserve a thread here. Her name shouldn't even be mentioned.

 

Oh, then Germany doesn't care about costs? How virtuous of them. I would never have thought it. Thanks for letting me know.

 

The big problem was Ukraine and how they refused to pay their bills, believing Russia wouldn't dare shut the pipelines to Europe - but they did. Merkel doesn't want a repeat of this. Knowing though the desperate situation Ukraine is in, Putin did the humane thing and said they will continue to supply some gas through their pipelines.

The response? More attacks on civilian homes in Donetsk. Oh well, what's one to expect from a government consisting of Mafia heads and Nazis.

 

Because Gazprom is state owned and thus subject to the whims of Vladamir Putin, who is incredibly insecure about his country's place on the geopolitical stage. All Russia has is a military, energy resources, and a tiny economy, and that is a source of consternation for Putin. American LNG exports are ultimately controlled by the operators who produce the gas. Trump can't come along and say Germany pissed him off and stop Freeport LNG from sending their natural gas abroad.

 

You don't see the humor in that remark considering how high US gas is, and how low the price of Russian gas is? But then again, people are not very smart now are they?

 

Strategic in essentially not placing all eggs in one basket. Strategic planning in this instance means not being too dependent on one source for something so vital as gas.

 

If the respect given to Vladimir Putin on the geopolitical stage is seen as insecurity by you, then I think you have a perception problem. As for economy, since the sanctions and the counter embargo by Russia, its GDP ranks 6th according to purchasing power parity - which is not too bad. China is first, the US second, then India, Japan and Germany. As for all over GDP it ranks 11th.

 

Yup....11th, tiny like I said. The US government could buy the entire thing, but Americans would see it as a waste of money, and that tiny economy burns Putin's ass.

 

I see what you mean, but Germany imports gas not only from Russia, but also from Norway and Netherlands, so in fact this is not a single source.

 

Can it satisfy all of its demand that way, though?

 

Good move....why put all your eggs in the russki basket....putinka/muscovia basically uses Gasprom as a weapon anyways....basically shuts off gas to anyone who doesn't tow the line.

 

Have not seen you for a while...Can you say when the gas was shut off to Germany by Gazprom? It shuts off gas only to those who do not pay for it, like Ukraine. But I am sure your house would be also disconnected from energy supplies if you do not pay for them.

 

I've been busy.....the zoo closed for the season....so I figured the next best thing would be PF forum and the trolls....haven't missed much I see.

Not exactly....they used it on Ukraine since they threw out russki puppets, like yanukovich, and poison opponents like yushenko.
They also invade crimea....and support "rebels" in east ukraine.

I see mad Zak finally got a capper in the nut.....probably a GRU hit....Putinka destroying evidence)!

 

I see, you like trolls Sure Gazprom used it on Ukraine, but Germany is not Ukraine, and there are no puppets of Putin in Germany, so not a good comparison. If one wants to diversify, he looks for the cheaper prices, and not for the higher ones, like in the US.

 

No....I didnt say I particularly liked trolls.....just see what dribble they write, seems its even more comical.

Yeah, sure they use on Ukraine. Vatniks can't imagine these lowly "xoxols" exercising some independence.

No puppets of Putinka in Ukraine??
Well youre a puppet....and you post funny things here.

Yeah...Ukraine not Germany, it's poorer since you've had that lousy moskali influence for decades, and continues.

The khujlo goes to Germany to work, like yourself (Merkel money) Euros, and write how wonderful Muscovia is, and how "patriotic" moskalis are.

 

You are typical pidor- pindos. You do not even know the meanings of the words you use- noone says like you try to say it (khujlo) in Russian. So shut up and better go to feed your chicken