China Imposes Total Ban on U.S. Natural Gas Imports

China has completely halted imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, according to new data obtained by Bloomberg.

Zero U.S. LNG Imported in March

In March 2025, China’s LNG imports from the U.S. dropped to zero percent — marking a full stop in trade.

Longest Freeze Since Trump-Era Trade War

This is the most prolonged LNG import freeze since the U.S.–China trade war during President Trump’s first term, when China refused U.S. LNG shipments for nearly 400 days.

U.S.–China Energy Trade Breaks Down

The halt comes amid an escalating trade dispute, with the U.S. imposing 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliating with 125% tariffs on U.S. products.

U.S. LNG Exports to China Down 70% in 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, American LNG shipments to China fell by 70% compared to the previous year.

China Shifts to Alternative Energy Sources

According to Bloomberg, China has responded by leaning more heavily on coal and renewable energy to stabilize its domestic energy supply.

Russian Gas Gains Ground

China has also increased imports of natural gas via Russian pipelines during the same period, further reducing its reliance on U.S. LNG.

Volumes Still Lower Than Seaborne LNG

Despite growth in pipeline imports from Russia, total volumes remain lower than traditional seaborne deliveries, Bloomberg reports.

U.S. Still Leads Global LNG Exports

The United States remains the world’s top exporter of LNG, shipping over 90 million tons in 2024 alone.

Asia Is a Key Market, Despite China’s Pullback

While Europe receives over half (53%) of U.S. LNG exports, Asia accounts for 33%, with Japan, South Korea, India, and China among the top buyers — until now.