Putin’s Energy Wins in China Deal a Blow to Trump’s Export Push

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump vowed he would establish US energy dominance over the globe. Seven months on, that goal is under threat as the world’s largest importer flexes its economic and geopolitical muscle.

This week, after years of pushing back against Russia’s ambitions for a massive new gas pipeline to significantly expand eastbound exports, China has brought Power of Siberia 2 a step closer to becoming reality. It appears to have agreed to expanded capacity on other routes, too. Days earlier, Beijing made another important concession at Washington’s expense, turning a blind eye to a US-sanctioned Arctic LNG cargo for the first time.