Trump has pressured South Korea to commit to a $50 billion Alaska LNG project, threatening to increase costs if Seoul does not sign quickly. "If they don't want to do it, that's OK with me. I'll just charge them more," Trump told reporters Friday. "Tell them if they don't sign shortly, I'm going to double it up."
Trump did not specify what costs would double. South Korean local media reported the possibility that he was referring to higher tariffs on the country.
The remarks reveal a gap between Washington and Seoul over energy and infrastructure investments in the U.S. Trump announced South Korea's participation in the Alaska LNG project, but Seoul has not finalized the deal. When asked whether he had prematurely announced South Korea's involvement, Trump said he "didn't jump the gun."
South Korea said it remains in an assessment phase for the Alaska LNG project. Any participation depends on commercial viability and compliance with domestic legal procedures, according to Seoul's position.
Trump also announced Friday on Truth Social an additional $8.4 billion enhanced oil recovery project involving South Korea. Enhanced oil recovery uses techniques such as carbon dioxide injection to increase crude oil output from an oil field.
South Korean local media reported that the oil recovery project was not included in agreements reached between Seoul and Washington, citing the country's industry ministry. The ministry was seeking to verify Trump's announcement and contacted the U.S. through trade channels for clarification, according to the report.