Qatar's Energy Minister Addresses LNG Export Concerns

Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi has expressed confidence regarding U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's plan to lift the cap on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, stating that Qatar can handle increased competition. During the Doha Forum, he emphasized that LNG projects are driven by the commercial viability assessed by private enterprises and not by political changes. Al-Kaabi believes that Trump's administration will be beneficial for business, although he raised concerns about the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which could impose heavy penalties on companies not compliant with labor and environmental standards. He warned that this could deter investments and complicate Qatar's energy supply to the EU, particularly as European economies struggle. Al-Kaabi suggested that the Qatar Investment Authority might seek opportunities elsewhere to avoid these potential penalties. Overall, he stressed the importance of dialogue between Qatar and the EU regarding energy cooperation.