Russia, China Close in on Power of Siberia 2 Pipeline Deal

Russia's expansion of natural gas exports to China, particularly through the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, significantly challenges U.S. ambitions in the global LNG market by offering China a cheaper, politically strategic alternative to American LNG. This pipeline, expected to deliver over 40 million tons of LNG annually, would make Russian gas a major competitor, potentially accounting for up to 20% of China's energy consumption by the early 2030s. China has already halted U.S. LNG imports amid trade tensions, signaling a shift toward deeper energy cooperation with Russia, which strengthens Moscow's pivot to Asia amid sanctions from the West. President Donald Trump's goal of achieving U.S. energy dominance faces setbacks as China advances these pipeline deals and shows willingness to overlook U.S. sanctions, reflecting Beijing's growing geopolitical leverage. While details on the pipeline's construction timeline remain vague, the agreements symbolize a broader strategic partnership between Russia and China, with Moscow securing new energy markets and Beijing diversifying supply and reducing dependency on the U.S. These developments underscore a shifting global energy landscape that favors the Russia-China axis over the U.S. energy export ambitions.