The United States is competing with Russia to supply natural gas to Europe, President Donald Trump said Monday during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump fielded a question from a Russian reporter asking about the proposed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. Trump criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel on July 11 for being “totally controlled by Russia, because they will be getting from 60 to 70 percent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline.” (RELATED: Trump RIPS Merkel Over Hypocrisy On Russia)
“You suggested that you could free Europe from this by supplying American LNG,” a Russian reporter said to Trump at the Monday press conference. “This cold winter actually showed the current model, current mechanism of supply of fuel to Europe is quite viable. At the same time, as far as I know, the U.S. had to buy even Russian gas for Boston.”
The reporter questioned the practicality of Trump’s criticism of the pipeline and suggested Trump’s objection was political. If natural gas from Russia is blocked, a “gap” in Europe’s fuel supply will form.
“The second question, before the meeting with President Putin, you called him an adversary, a rival,” the reporter continued, speaking to the U.S. president. “And yet you expressed hope that you will be able to bring this relationship to a new level. Did you manage to do this?”
WATCH:
“Actually, I called him a competitor and a good competitor he is. I think the word competitor is a compliment,” Trump began. “I think that we will be competing. When you talk about the pipeline, I’m not sure necessarily that it’s in the best interests of Germany or not, but that was a decision that they made.”
The U.S. is the global leader in oil and gas production, Trump said.
The U.S. is forecasted to overtake Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world leader in oil and gas production in 2019. International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol recognized the U.S. in January as “the undisputed oil and gas producer in the world over the next several decades” because of the strong predictions of success of the U.S. oil and gas sector over time. (RELATED: US Quickly Becoming The ‘Undisputed Global Oil And Gas Leader,’ Says IEA Head)
“I think we’ll compete successfully, although [Russia has] a little advantage locationally. So, I just wish them luck,” Trump said. “I discussed with Angela Merkel in pretty strong tones. But, I also know where they’re all coming from. And they have a very close source, so we’ll see how that all works out.”
“The United States is much different than it was a number of years ago when we weren’t able to extract what we can extract today,” Trump continued. “So today, we’re number one in the world at that, And I think we will be out there competing very strongly.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.